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diff --git a/old/vanof10h.htm b/old/vanof10h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..ea3a050 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/vanof10h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,2722 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> +<html> +<head> +<title>New File</title> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> +<style type="text/css"> +<!-- +body {margin:10%; text-align:justify} +blockquote {font-size:14pt} +P {font-size:14pt} +--> +</style> +</head> +<body> + + + +<H1>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Ivanoff, +<br>by Anton Chekhov</H1> + +<PRE> +Copyright laws are changing all over the world. Be sure to check the +copyright laws for your country before downloading or redistributing +this or any other Project Gutenberg eBook. + +This header should be the first thing seen when viewing this Project +Gutenberg file. Please do not remove it. Do not change or edit the +header without written permission. + +Please read the "legal small print," and other information about the +eBook and Project Gutenberg at the bottom of this file. Included is +important information about your specific rights and restrictions in +how the file may be used. You can also find out about how to make a +donation to Project Gutenberg, and how to get involved. + + +**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** + +**eBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** + +*****These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers!***** + + +Title: Ivanoff + +Author: Anton Chekhov + +Release Date: May, 1999 [EBook #1755] +[Most recently updated: February 17, 2003] + +Edition: 10 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, IVANOFF *** + + + + +</PRE> +Ivanoff +<p>by Anton Checkov</p> +<p> </p> + +<p> + IVANOFF</p> +<p>A PLAY</p> +<p> </p> +<h3 align="center">CHARACTERS</h3> +<p> </p> +<p>NICHOLAS IVANOFF, perpetual member of the Council of Peasant + Affairs</p> +<p>ANNA, his wife. Nee Sarah Abramson</p> +<p>MATTHEW SHABELSKI, a count, uncle of Ivanoff</p> +<p>PAUL LEBEDIEFF, President of the Board of the Zemstvo</p> +<p>ZINAIDA, his wife</p> +<p>SASHA, their daughter, twenty years old</p> +<p>LVOFF, a young government doctor</p> +<p>MARTHA BABAKINA, a young widow, owner of an estate and daughter + of a rich merchant</p> +<p>KOSICH, an exciseman</p> +<p>MICHAEL BORKIN, a distant relative of Ivanoff, and manager of his + estate</p> +<p>AVDOTIA NAZAROVNA, an old woman</p> +<p>GEORGE, lives with the Lebedieffs</p> +<p>FIRST GUEST</p> +<p>SECOND GUEST</p> +<p>THIRD GUEST</p> +<p>FOURTH GUEST</p> +<p>PETER, a servant of Ivanoff</p> +<p>GABRIEL, a servant of Lebedieff</p> +<p>GUESTS OF BOTH SEXES</p> +<p>The play takes place in one of the provinces of central Russia</p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h2 align="center">IVANOFF</h2> +<h3 align="center">ACT I</h3> +<p> </p> +<p>The garden of IVANOFF'S country place. On the left is a terrace + and the facade of the house. One window is open. Below the + terrace is a broad semicircular lawn, from which paths lead to + right and left into a garden. On the right are several garden + benches and tables. A lamp is burning on one of the tables. It is + evening. As the curtain rises sounds of the piano and violoncello + are heard.</p> +<p>IVANOFF is sitting at a table reading.</p> +<p>BORKIN, in top-boots and carrying a gun, comes in from the rear of the garden. + He is a little tipsy. As he sees IVANOFF he comes toward him on tiptoe, and + when he comes opposite him he stops and points the gun at his face.</p> +<p>IVANOFF. [Catches sight of BORKIN. Shudders and jumps to his + feet] Misha! What are you doing? You frightened me! I can't stand + your stupid jokes when I am so nervous as this. And having + frightened me, you laugh! [He sits down.]</p> +<p>BORKIN. [Laughing loudly] There, I am sorry, really. I won't do + it again. Indeed I won't. [Take off his cap] How hot it is! Just + think, my dear boy, I have covered twelve miles in the last three + hours. I am worn out. Just feel how my heart is beating.</p> +<p> + IVANOFF. [Goes on reading] Oh, very well. I shall feel it later!</p> +<p>BORKIN. No, feel it now. [He takes IVANOFF'S hand and presses it + against his breast] Can you feel it thumping? That means that it + is weak and that I may die suddenly at any moment. Would you be + sorry if I died?</p> +<p>IVANOFF. I am reading now. I shall attend to you later.</p> +<p>BORKIN. No, seriously, would you be sorry if I died? Nicholas, + would you be sorry if I died?</p> +<p>IVANOFF. Leave me alone!</p> +<p>BORKIN. Come, tell me if you would be sorry or not.</p> +<p>IVANOFF. I am sorry that you smell so of vodka, Misha, it is + disgusting.</p> +<p>BORKIN. Do I smell of vodka? How strange! And yet, it is not so + strange after all. I met the magistrate on the road, and I must + admit that we did drink about eight glasses together. Strictly + speaking, of course, drinking is very harmful. Listen, it is + harmful, isn't it? Is it? Is it?</p> +<p>IVANOFF. This is unendurable! Let me warn you, Misha, that you + are going too far.</p> +<p>BORKIN. Well, well, excuse me. Sit here by yourself then, for + heaven's sake, if it amuses you. [Gets up and goes away] What + extraordinary people one meets in the world. They won't even + allow themselves to be spoken to. [He comes back] Oh, yes, I + nearly forgot. Please let me have eighty-two roubles.</p> +<p>IVANOFF. Why do you want eighty-two roubles?</p> +<p>BORKIN. To pay the workmen to-morrow.</p> +<p>IVANOFF. I haven't the money.</p> +<p>BORKIN. Many thanks. [Angrily] So you haven't the money! And yet + the workmen must be paid, mustn't they?</p> +<p>IVANOFF. I don't know. Wait till my salary comes in on the first + of the month.</p> +<p>BORKIN. How is it possible to discuss anything with a man like + you? Can't you understand that the workmen are coming to-morrow + morning and not on the first of the month?</p> +<p>IVANOFF. How can I help it? I'll be hanged if I can do anything + about it now. And what do you mean by this irritating way you + have of pestering me whenever I am trying to read or write or---</p> +<p>BORKIN. Must the workmen be paid or not, I ask you? But, good + gracious! What is the use of talking to you! [Waves his hand] Do + you think because you own an estate you can command the whole + world? With your two thousand acres and your empty pockets you + are like a man who has a cellar full of wine and no corkscrew. I + have sold the oats as they stand in the field. Yes, sir! And + to-morrow I shall sell the rye and the carriage horses. [He + stamps up and down] Do you think I am going to stand upon + ceremony with you? Certainly not! I am not that kind of a man!</p> +<p>ANNA appears at the open window.</p> +<p>ANNA. Whose voice did I hear just now? Was it yours, Misha? Why + are you stamping up and down?</p> +<p>BORKIN. Anybody who had anything to do with your Nicholas would + stamp up and down.</p> +<p>ANNA. Listen, Misha! Please have some hay carried onto the + croquet lawn.</p> +<p>BORKIN. [Waves his hand] Leave me alone, please!</p> +<p>ANNA. Oh, what manners! They are not becoming to you at all. If + you want to be liked by women you must never let them see you + when you are angry or obstinate. [To her husband] Nicholas, let + us go and play on the lawn in the hay!</p> +<p>IVANOFF. Don't you know it is bad for you to stand at the open + window, Annie? [Calls] Shut the window, Uncle!</p> +<p>[The window is shut from the inside.]</p> +<p>BORKIN. Don't forget that the interest on the money you owe + Lebedieff must be paid in two days.</p> +<p>IVANOFF. I haven't forgotten it. I am going over to see Lebedieff + today and shall ask him to wait</p> +<p>[He looks at his watch.]</p> +<p>BORKIN. When are you going?</p> +<p>IVANOFF. At once.</p> +<p>BORKIN. Wait! Wait! Isn't this Sasha's birthday? So it is! The + idea of my forgetting it. What a memory I have. [Jumps about] I + shall go with you! [Sings] I shall go, I shall go! Nicholas, old + man, you are the joy of my life. If you were not always so + nervous and cross and gloomy, you and I could do great things + together. I would do anything for you. Shall I marry Martha + Babakina and give you half her fortune? That is, not half, + either, but all--take it all!</p> +<p>IVANOFF. Enough of this nonsense!</p> +<p>BORKIN. No, seriously, shan't I marry Martha and halve the money + with you? But no, why should I propose it? How can you + understand? [Angrily] You say to me: "Stop talking nonsense!" You + are a good man and a clever one, but you haven't any red blood in + your veins or any--well, enthusiasm. Why, if you wanted to, you + and I could cut a dash together that would shame the devil + himself. If you were a normal man instead of a morbid + hypochondriac we would have a million in a year. For instance, if + I had twenty-three hundred roubles now I could make twenty + thousand in two weeks. You don't believe me? You think it is all + nonsense? No, it isn't nonsense. Give me twenty-three hundred + roubles and let me try. Ofsianoff is selling a strip of land + across the river for that price. If we buy this, both banks will + be ours, and we shall have the right to build a dam across the + river. Isn't that so? We can say that we intend to build a mill, + and when the people on the river below us hear that we mean to + dam the river they will, of course, object violently and we shall + say: If you don't want a dam here you will have to pay to get us + away. Do you see the result? The factory would give us five + thousand roubles, Korolkoff three thousand, the monastery five + thousand more--</p> +<p>IVANOFF. All that is simply idiotic, Misha. If you don't want me + to lose my temper you must keep your schemes to yourself.</p> +<p>BORKIN. [Sits down at the table] Of course! I knew how it would + be! You never will act for yourself, and you tie my hands so that + I am helpless.</p> +<p>Enter SHABELSKI and LVOFF.</p> +<p>SHABELSKI. The only difference between lawyers and doctors is that lawyers + simply rob you, whereas doctors both rob you and kill you. I am not referring + to any one present. [Sits down on the bench] They are all frauds and swindlers. + Perhaps in Arcadia you might find an exception to the general rule and yet--I + have treated thousands of sick people myself in my life, and I have never met + a doctor who did not seem to me to be an unmistakable scoundrel. </p> +<p>BORKIN. [To IVANOFF] Yes, you tie my hands and never do anything + for yourself, and that is why you have no money.</p> +<p>SHABELSKI. As I said before, I am not referring to any one here + at present; there may be exceptions though, after all-- [He + yawns.]</p> +<p>IVANOFF. [Shuts his book] What have you to tell me, doctor?</p> +<p>LVOFF. [Looks toward the window] Exactly what I said this + morning: she must go to the Crimea at once. [Walks up and down.]</p> +<p>SHABELSKI. [Bursts out laughing] To the Crimea! Why don't you and + I set up as doctors, Misha? Then, if some Madame Angot or Ophelia + finds the world tiresome and begins to cough and be consumptive, + all we shall have to do will be to write out a prescription + according to the laws of medicine: that is, first, we shall order + her a young doctor, and then a journey to the Crimea. There some + fascinating young Tartar---</p> +<p>IVANOFF. [Interrupting] Oh, don't be coarse! [To LVOFF] It takes + money to go to the Crimea, and even if I could afford it, you + know she has refused to go.</p> +<p>LVOFF. Yes, she has. [A pause.]</p> +<p>BORKIN. Look here, doctor, is Anna really so ill that she + absolutely must go to the Crimea?</p> +<p>LVOFF. [Looking toward the window] Yes, she has consumption.</p> +<p>BORKIN. Whew! How sad! I have seen in her face for some time that + she could not last much longer.</p> +<p>LVOFF. Can't you speak quietly? She can hear everything you say. + [A pause.]</p> +<p>BORKIN. [Sighing] The life of man is like a flower, blooming so + gaily in a field. Then, along comes a goat, he eats it, and the + flower is gone!</p> +<p>SHABELSKI. Oh, nonsense, nonsense. [Yawning] Everything is a + fraud and a swindle. [A pause.]</p> +<p>BORKIN. Gentlemen, I have been trying to tell Nicholas how he can + make some money, and have submitted a brilliant plan to him, but + my seed, as usual, has fallen on barren soil. Look what a sight + he is now: dull, cross, bored, peevish---</p> +<p>SHABELSKI. [Gets up and stretches himself] You are always + inventing schemes for everybody, you clever fellow, and telling + them how to live; can't you tell me something? Give me some good + advice, you ingenious young man. Show me a good move to make.</p> +<p>BORKIN. [Getting up] I am going to have a swim. Goodbye, + gentlemen. [To Shabelski] There are at least twenty good moves + you could make. If I were you I should have twenty thousand + roubles in a week.</p> +<p>[He goes out; SHABELSKI follows him.]</p> +<p>SHABELSKI. How would you do it? Come, explain.</p> +<p>BORKIN. There is nothing to explain, it is so simple. [Coming + back] Nicholas, give me a rouble.</p> +<p>IVANOFF silently hands him the money</p> +<p>BORKIN. Thanks. Shabelski, you still hold some trump cards.</p> +<p>SHABELSKI follows him out.</p> +<p>SHABELSKI. Well, what are they?</p> +<p>BORKIN. If I were you I should have thirty thousand roubles and + more in a week. [They go out together.]</p> +<p>IVANOFF. [After a pause] Useless people, useless talk, and the + necessity of answering stupid questions, have wearied me so, + doctor, that I am ill. I have become so irritable and bitter that + I don't know myself. My head aches for days at a time. I hear a + ringing in my ears, I can't sleep, and yet there is no escape + from it all, absolutely none.</p> +<p>LVOFF. Ivanoff, I have something serious to speak to you about.</p> +<p>IVANOFF. What is it ?</p> +<p>LVOFF. It is about your wife. She refuses to go to the Crimea + alone, but she would go with you.</p> +<p>IVANOFF. [Thoughtfully] It would cost a great deal for us both to + go, and besides, I could not get leave to be away for so long. I + have had one holiday already this year.</p> +<p>LVOFF. Very well, let us admit that. Now to proceed. The best + cure for consumption is absolute peace of mind, and your wife has + none whatever. She is forever excited by your behaviour to her. + Forgive me, I am excited and am going to speak frankly. Your + treatment of her is killing her. [A pause] Ivanoff, let me + believe better things of you.</p> +<p>IVANOFF. What you say is true, true. I must be terribly guilty, + but my mind is confused. My will seems to be paralysed by a kind + of stupor; I can't understand myself or any one else. [Looks + toward the window] Come, let us take a walk, we might be + overheard here. [They get up] My dear friend, you should hear the + whole story from the beginning if it were not so long and + complicated that to tell it would take all night. [They walk up + and down] Anna is a splendid, an exceptional woman. She has left + her faith, her parents and her fortune for my sake. If I should + demand a hundred other sacrifices, she would consent to every one + without the quiver of an eyelid. Well, I am not a remarkable man + in any way, and have sacrificed nothing. However, the story is a + long one. In short, the whole point is, my dear doctor-- + [Confused] that I married her for love and promised to love her + forever, and now after five years she loves me still and I-- [He + waves his hand] Now, when you tell me she is dying, I feel + neither love nor pity, only a sort of loneliness and weariness. + To all appearances this must seem horrible, and I cannot + understand myself what is happening to me. [They go out.]</p> +<p>SHABELSKI comes in.</p> +<p>SHABELSKI. [Laughing] Upon my word, that man is no scoundrel, but + a great thinker, a master-mind. He deserves a memorial. He is the + essence of modern ingenuity, and combines in himself alone the + genius of the lawyer, the doctor, and the financier. [He sits + down on the lowest step of the terrace] And yet he has never + finished a course of studies in any college; that is so + surprising. What an ideal scoundrel he would have made if he had + acquired a little culture and mastered the sciences! "You could + make twenty thousand roubles in a week," he said. "You still hold + the ace of trumps: it is your title." [Laughing] He said I might + get a rich girl to marry me for it! [ANNA opens the window and + looks down] "Let me make a match between you and Martha," says + he. Who is this Martha? It must be that Balabalkina--Babakalkina + woman, the one that looks like a laundress.</p> +<p>ANNA. Is that you, Count?</p> +<p>SHABELSKI. What do you want?</p> +<p>ANNA laughs.</p> +<p>SHABELSKI. [With a Jewish accent] Vy do you laugh?</p> +<p>ANNA. I was thinking of something you said at dinner, do you + remember? How was it--a forgiven thief, a doctored horse.</p> +<p>SHABELSKI. A forgiven thief, a doctored horse, and a + Christianised Jew are all worth the same price.</p> +<p>ANNA. [Laughing] You can't even repeat the simplest saying + without ill-nature. You are a most malicious old man. [Seriously] + Seriously, Count you are extremely disagreeable, and very + tiresome and painful to live with. You are always grumbling and + growling, and everybody to you is a blackguard and a scoundrel. + Tell me honestly, Count, have you ever spoken well of any one?</p> +<p>SHABELSKI. Is this an inquisition?</p> +<p>ANNA. We have lived under this same roof now for five years, and + I have never heard you speak kindly of people, or without + bitterness and derision. What harm has the world done to you? Is + it possible that you consider yourself better than any one else?</p> +<p>SHABELSKI. Not at all. I think we are all of us scoundrels and + hypocrites. I myself am a degraded old man, and as useless as a + cast-off shoe. I abuse myself as much as any one else. I was rich + once, and free, and happy at times, but now I am a dependent, an + object of charity, a joke to the world. When I am at last + exasperated and defy them, they answer me with a laugh. When I + laugh, they shake their heads sadly and say, "The old man has + gone mad." But oftenest of all I am unheard and unnoticed by + every one.</p> +<p>ANNA. [Quietly] Screaming again.</p> +<p>SHABELSKI. Who is screaming?</p> +<p>ANNA. The owl. It screams every evening.</p> +<p>SHABELSKI. Let it scream. Things are as bad as they can be + already. [Stretches himself] Alas, my dear Sarah! If I could only + win a thousand or two roubles, I should soon show you what I + could do. I wish you could see me! I should get away out of this + hole, and leave the bread of charity, and should not show my nose + here again until the last judgment day.</p> +<p>ANNA. What would you do if you were to win so much money?</p> +<p>SHABELSKI. [Thoughtfully] First I would go to Moscow to hear the + Gipsies play, and then--then I should fly to Paris and take an + apartment and go to the Russian Church.</p> +<p>ANNA. And what else?</p> +<p>SHABELSKI. I would go and sit on my wife's grave for days and + days and think. I would sit there until I died. My wife is buried + in Paris. [A pause.]</p> +<p>ANNA. How terribly dull this is! Shall we play a duet?</p> +<p>SHABELSKI. As you like. Go and get the music ready. [ANNA goes + out.]</p> +<p>IVANOFF and LVOFF appear in one of the paths.</p> +<p>IVANOFF. My dear friend, you left college last year, and you are + still young and brave. Being thirty-five years old I have the + right to advise you. Don't marry a Jewess or a bluestocking or a + woman who is queer in any way. Choose some nice, common-place + girl without any strange and startling points in her character. + Plan your life for quiet; the greyer and more monotonous you can + make the background, the better. My dear boy, do not try to fight + alone against thousands; do not tilt with windmills; do not dash + yourself against the rocks. And, above all, may you be spared the + so-called rational life, all wild theories and impassioned talk. + Everything is in the hands of God, so shut yourself up in your + shell and do your best. That is the pleasant, honest, healthy way + to live. But the life I have chosen has been so tiring, oh, so + tiring! So full of mistakes, of injustice and stupidity! [Catches + sight of SHABELSKI, and speaks angrily] There you are again, + Uncle, always under foot, never letting one have a moment's quiet + talk!</p> +<p>SHABELSKI. [In a tearful voice] Is there no refuge anywhere for a + poor old devil like me? [He jumps up and runs into the house.]</p> +<p>IVANOFF. Now I have offended him! Yes, my nerves have certainly + gone to pieces. I must do something about it, I must---</p> +<p>LVOFF. [Excitedly] Ivanoff, I have heard all you have to say + and--and--I am going to speak frankly. You have shown me in your + voice and manner, as well as in your words, the most heartless + egotism and pitiless cruelty. Your nearest friend is dying simply + because she is near you, her days are numbered, and you can feel + such indifference that you go about giving advice and analysing + your feelings. I cannot say all I should like to; I have not the + gift of words, but--but I can at least say that you are deeply + antipathetic to me.</p> +<p>IVANOFF. I suppose I am. As an onlooker, of course you see me + more clearly than I see myself, and your judgment of me is + probably right. No doubt I + am terribly guilty. [Listens] I think I hear the carriage + coming. I must get ready to go. [He goes toward the house and + then stops] You dislike me, doctor, and you don't conceal it. + Your sincerity does you credit. [He goes into the house.]</p> +<p>LVOFF. [Alone] What a confoundedly disagreeable character! I have + let another opportunity slip without speaking to him as I meant + to, but I simply cannot talk calmly to that man. The moment I + open my mouth to speak I feel such a commotion and suffocation + here [He puts his hand on his breast] that my tongue sticks to + the roof of my mouth. Oh, I loathe that Tartuffe, that + unmitigated rascal, with all my heart! There he is, preparing to + go driving in spite of the entreaties of his unfortunate wife, + who adores him and whose only happiness is his presence. She + implores him to spend at least one evening with her, and he + cannot even do that. Why, he might shoot himself in despair if he + had to stay at home! Poor fellow, what he wants are new fields + for his villainous schemes. Oh, I know why you go to Lebedieff's + every evening, Ivanoff! I know.</p> +<p>Enter IVANOFF, in hat and coat, ANNA and SHABELSKI</p> +<p>SHABELSKI. Look here, Nicholas, this is simply barbarous You go + away every evening and leave us here alone, and we get so bored + that we have to go to bed at eight o'clock. It is a scandal, and + no decent way of living. Why can you go driving if we can't? Why?</p> +<p>ANNA. Leave him alone, Count. Let him go if he wants to.</p> +<p>IVANOFF. How can a sick woman like you go anywhere? You know you + have a cough and must not go out after sunset. Ask the doctor + here. You are no child, Annie, you must be reasonable. And as for + you, what would you do with yourself over there?</p> +<p>SHABELSKI. I am ready to go anywhere: into the jaws of a + crocodile, or even into the jaws of hell, so long as I don't have + to stay here. I am horribly bored. I am stupefied by this + dullness. Every one here is tired of me. You leave me at home to + entertain Anna, but I feel more like scratching and biting her.</p> +<p>ANNA. Leave him alone, Count. Leave him alone. Let him go if he + enjoys himself there.</p> +<p>IVANOFF. What does this mean, Annie? You know I am not going for + pleasure. I must see Lebedieff about the money I owe him.</p> +<p>ANNA. I don't see why you need justify yourself to me. Go ahead! + Who is keeping you?</p> +<p>IVANOFF. Heavens! Don't let us bite one another's heads off. Is + that really unavoidable?</p> +<p>SHABELSKI. [Tearfully] Nicholas, my dear boy, do please take me + with you. I might possibly be amused a little by the sight of all + the fools and scoundrels I should see there. You know I haven't + been off this place since Easter.</p> +<p>IVANOFF. [Exasperated] Oh, very well! Come along then! How + tiresome you all are!</p> +<p>SHABELSKI. I may go? Oh, thank you! [Takes him gaily by the arm + and leads him aside] May I wear your straw hat?</p> +<p>IVANOFF. You may, only hurry, please.</p> +<p>SHABELSKI runs into the house.</p> +<p>IVANOFF. How tired I am of you all! But no, what am I saying? + Annie, my manner to you is insufferable, and it never used to be. + Well, good-bye, Annie. I shall be back by one.</p> +<p>ANNA. Nicholas! My dear husband, stay at home to-night!</p> +<p>IVANOFF. [Excitedly] Darling, sweetheart, my dear, unhappy one, I + implore you to let me leave home in the evenings. I know it is + cruel and unjust to ask this, but let me do you this injustice. + It is such torture for me to stay. As soon as the sun goes down + my soul is overwhelmed by the most horrible despair. Don't ask me + why; I don't know; I swear I don't. This dreadful melancholy + torments me here, it drives me to the Lebedieff's and there it + grows worse than ever. I rush home; it still pursues me; and so I + am tortured all through the night. It is breaking my heart.</p> +<p>ANNA. Nicholas, won't you stay? We will talk together as we used + to. We will have supper together and read afterward. The old + grumbler and I have learned so many duets to play to you. [She + kisses him. Then, after a pause] I can't understand you any more. + This has been going on for a year now. What has changed you so?</p> +<p>IVANOFF. I don't know.</p> +<p>ANNA. And why don't you want me to go driving with you in the + evening?</p> +<p>IVANOFF. As you insist on knowing, I shall have to tell you. It + is a little cruel, but you had best understand. When this + melancholy fit is on me I begin to dislike you, Annie, and at + such times I must escape from you. In short, I simply have to + leave this house.</p> +<p>ANNA. Oh, you are sad, are you? I can understand that! Nicholas, + let me tell you something: won't you try to sing and laugh and + scold as you used to? Stay here, and we will drink some liqueur + together. and laugh, and chase away this sadness of yours in no + time. Shall I sing to you? Or shall we sit in your study in the + twilight as we used to, while you tell me about your sadness? I + can read such suffering in your eyes! Let me look into them and + weep, and our hearts will both be lighter. [She laughs and cries + at once] Or is it really true that the flowers return with every + spring, but lost happiness never returns? Oh, is it? Well, go + then, go!</p> +<p>IVANOFF. Pray for me, Annie! [He goes; then stops and thinks for + a moment] No, I can't do it. [IVANOFF goes out.]</p> +<p>ANNA. Yes, go, go-- [Sits down at the table.]</p> +<p>LVOFF. [Walking up and down] Make this a rule, Madam: as soon as + the sun goes down you must go indoors and not come out again + until morning. The damp evening air is bad for you.</p> +<p>ANNA. Yes, sir!</p> +<p>LVOFF. What do you mean by "Yes, sir"? I am speaking seriously.</p> +<p>ANNA. But I don't want to be serious. [She coughs.]</p> +<p>LVOFF. There now, you see, you are coughing already.</p> +<p>SHABELSKI comes out of the house in his hat and coat.</p> +<p>SHABELSKI. Where is Nicholas? Is the carriage here yet? [Goes + quickly to ANNA and kisses her hand] Good-night, my darling! + [Makes a face and speaks with a Jewish accent] I beg your bardon! + [He goes quickly out.]</p> +<p>LVOFF. Idiot!</p> +<p>A pause; the sounds of a concertina are heard in the distance.</p> +<p>ANNA. Oh, how lonely it is! The coachman and the cook are having + a little ball in there by themselves, and I--I am, as it were, + abandoned. Why are you walking about, Doctor? Come and sit down + here.</p> +<p>LVOFF. I can't sit down.</p> +<p>[A pause.]</p> +<p>ANNA. They are playing "The Sparrow" in the kitchen. [She sings]</p> +<p> "Sparrow, Sparrow, where are you? + On the mountain drinking dew."</p> +<p>[A pause] Are your father and mother living, Doctor?</p> +<p>LVOFF. My mother is living; my father is dead.</p> +<p>ANNA. Do you miss your mother very much?</p> +<p>LVOFF. I am too busy to miss any one.</p> +<p>ANNA. [Laughing] The flowers return with every spring, but lost + happiness never returns. I wonder who taught me that? I think it + was Nicholas himself. [Listens] The owl is hooting again.</p> +<p>LVOFF. Well, let it hoot.</p> +<p>ANNA. I have begun to think, Doctor, that fate has cheated me. + Other people who, perhaps, are no better than I am are happy and + have not had to pay for their happiness. But I have paid for it + all, every moment of it, and such a price! Why should I have to + pay so terribly? Dear friend, you are all too considerate and + gentle with me to tell me the truth; but do you think I don't + know what is the matter with me? I know perfectly well. However, + this isn't a pleasant subject-- [With a Jewish accent] "I beg + your bardon!" Can you tell funny stories?</p> +<p>LVOFF. No, I can't.</p> +<p>ANNA. Nicholas can. I am beginning to be surprised, too, at the + injustice of people. Why do they return hatred for love, and + answer truth with lies? Can you tell me how much longer I shall + be hated by my mother and father? They live fifty miles away, and + yet I can feel their hatred day and night, even in my sleep. And + how do you account for the sadness of Nicholas? He says that he + only dislikes me in the evening, when the fit is on him. I + understand that, and can tolerate it, but what if he should come + to dislike me altogether? Of course that is impossible, and + yet--no, no, I mustn't even imagine such a thing. [Sings]</p> +<p> "Sparrow, Sparrow, where are you?"</p> +<p>[She shudders] What fearful thoughts I have! You are not married, + Doctor; there are many things that you cannot understand.</p> +<p>LVOFF. You say you are surprised, but--but it is you who surprise + me. Tell me, explain to me how you, an honest and intelligent + woman, almost a + saint, could allow yourself to be so basely deceived and dragged + into this den of bears? Why are you here? What have you in common + with such a cold and heartless--but enough of your husband! What + have you in common with these wicked and vulgar surroundings? + With that eternal grumbler, the crazy and decrepit Count? With + that swindler, that prince of rascals, Misha, with his fool's + face? Tell me, I say, how did you get here?</p> +<p>ANNA. [laughing] That is what he used to say, long ago, oh, + exactly! Only his eyes are larger than yours, and when he was + excited they used to shine like coals--go on, go on!</p> +<p>LVOFF. [Gets up and waves his hand] There is nothing more to say. + Go into the house.</p> +<p>ANNA. You say that Nicholas is not what he should be, that his + faults are so and so. How can you possibly understand him? How + can you learn to know any one in six months? He is a wonderful + man, Doctor, and I am sorry you could not have known him as he + was two or three years ago. He is depressed and silent now, and + broods all day without doing anything, but he was splendid then. + I fell in love with him at first sight. [Laughing] I gave one + look and was caught like a mouse in a trap! So when he asked me + to go with him I cut every tie that bound me to my old life as + one snips the withered leaves from a plant. But things are + different now. Now he goes to the Lebedieff's to amuse himself + with other women, and I sit here in the garden and listen to the + owls. [The WATCHMAN'S rattle is heard] Tell me, Doctor, have you + any brothers and sisters?</p> +<p>LVOFF. No.</p> +<p>ANNA sobs.</p> +<p>LVOFF. What is it? What is the matter?</p> +<p>ANNA. I can't stand it, Doctor, I must go.</p> +<p>LVOFF. Where?</p> +<p>ANNA. To him. I am going. Have the horses harnessed. [She runs + into the house.]</p> +<p>LVOFF. No, I certainly cannot go on treating any one under these + conditions. I not only have to do it for nothing, but I am forced + to endure this agony of mind besides. No, no, I can't stand it. I + have had enough of it. [He goes into the house.]</p> +<p>The curtain falls.</p> +<p> </p> +<h3 align="center">ACT II</h3> +<p> </p> +<p>The drawing-room of LEBEDIEFFÕS house. In the centre is a door + leading into a garden. Doors open out of the room to the right + and left. The room is furnished with valuable old furniture, + which is carefully protected by linen covers. The walls are hung + with pictures. The room is lighted by candelabra. ZINAIDA is + sitting on a sofa; the elderly guests are sitting in arm-chairs + on either hand. The young guests are sitting about the room on + small chairs. KOSICH, AVDOTIA NAZAROVNA, GEORGE, and others are + playing cards in the background. GABRIEL is standing near the + door on the right. The maid is passing sweetmeats about on a + tray. During the entire act guests come and go from the garden, + through the room, out of the door on the left, and back again. + Enter MARTHA through the door on the right. She goes toward + ZINAIDA.</p> +<p>ZINAIDA. [Gaily] My dearest Martha!</p> +<p>MARTHA. How do you do, Zinaida? Let me congratulate you on your + daughter's birthday.</p> +<p>ZINAIDA. Thank you, my dear; I am delighted to see you. How are + you?</p> +<p>MARTHA. Very well indeed, thank you. [She sits down on the sofa] + Good evening, young people!</p> +<p>The younger guests get up and bow.</p> +<p>FIRST GUEST. [Laughing] Young people indeed! Do you call yourself + an old person?</p> +<p>MARTHA. [Sighing] How can I make any pretense to youth now?</p> +<p>FIRST GUEST. What nonsense! The fact that you are a widow means + nothing. You could beat any pretty girl you chose at a canter.</p> +<p>GABRIEL brings MARTHA some tea.</p> +<p>ZINAIDA. Why do you bring the tea in like that? Go and fetch some + jam to eat with it!</p> +<p>MARTHA. No thank you; none for me, don't trouble yourself. [A + pause.]</p> +<p>FIRST GUEST. [To MARTHA] Did you come through Mushkine on your + way here?</p> +<p>MARTHA. No, I came by way of Spassk. The road is better that way.</p> +<p>FIRST GUEST. Yes, so it is.</p> +<p>KOSICH. Two in spades.</p> +<p>GEORGE. Pass.</p> +<p>AVDOTIA. Pass.</p> +<p>SECOND GUEST. Pass.</p> +<p>MARTHA. The price of lottery tickets has gone up again, my dear. + I have never known such a state of affairs. The first issue is + already worth two hundred and seventy and the second nearly two + hundred and fifty. This has never happened before.</p> +<p>ZINAIDA. How fortunate for those who have a great many tickets!</p> +<p>MARTHA. Don't say that, dear; even when the price of tickets is + high it does not pay to put one's capital into them.</p> +<p>ZINAIDA. Quite true, and yet, my dear, one never can tell what + may happen. Providence is sometimes kind.</p> +<p>THIRD GUEST. My impression is, ladies, that at present capital is + exceedingly unproductive. Shares pay very small dividends, and + speculating is exceedingly dangerous. As I understand it, the + capitalist now finds himself in a more critical position than the + man who---</p> +<p>MARTHA. Quite right. </p> +<p>FIRST GUEST yawns.</p> +<p>MARTHA. How dare you yawn in the presence of ladies?</p> +<p>FIRST GUEST. I beg your pardon! It was quite an accident.</p> +<p>ZINAIDA gets up and goes out through the door on the right.</p> +<p>GEORGE. Two in hearts.</p> +<p>SECOND GUEST. Pass.</p> +<p>KOSICH. Pass.</p> +<p>MARTHA. [Aside] Heavens! This is deadly! I shall die of ennui.</p> +<p>Enter ZINAIDA and LEBEDIEFF through the door on the right.</p> +<p>ZINAIDA. Why do you go off by yourself like a prima donna? Come + and sit with our guests!</p> +<p>[She sits down in her former place.]</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. [Yawning] Oh, dear, our sins are heavy! [He catches + sight of MARTHA] Why, there is my little sugar-plum! How is your + most esteemed highness?</p> +<p>MARTHA. Very well, thank you.</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. Splendid, splendid! [He sits down in an armchair] + Quite right--Oh, Gabriel!</p> +<p>GABRIEL brings him a glass of vodka and a tumbler of water. He + empties the glass of vodka and sips the water.</p> +<p>FIRST GUEST. Good health to you!</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. Good health is too much to ask. I am content to keep + death from the door. [To his wife] Where is the heroine of this + occasion, Zuzu?</p> +<p>KOSICH. [In a plaintive voice] Look here, why haven't we taken + any tricks yet? [He jumps up] Yes, why have we lost this game + entirely, confound it?</p> +<p>AVDOTIA. [Jumps up angrily] Because, friend, you don't know how + to play it, and have no right to be sitting here at all. What + right had you to lead from another suit? Haven't you the ace + left? [They both leave the table and run forward.]</p> +<p>KOSICH. [In a tearful voice] Ladies and gentlemen, let me + explain! I had the ace, king, queen, and eight of diamonds, the + ace of spades and one, just one, little heart, do you understand? + Well, she, bad luck to her, she couldn't make a little slam. I + said one in no-trumps--- *</p> +<p>*The game played is vint, the national card-game of Russia and + the direct ancestor of auction bridge, with which it is almost + identical. [translator's note]</p> +<p>AVDOTIA. [Interrupting him] No, I said one in no-trumps; you said + two in no-trumps---</p> +<p>KOSICH. This is unbearable! Allow me--you had--I had--you had-- + [To LEBEDIEFF] But you shall decide it, Paul: I had the ace, + king, queen, and eight of diamonds---</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. [Puts his fingers into his ears] Stop, for heaven's + sake, stop!</p> +<p>AVDOTIA. [Yelling] I said no-trumps, and not he!</p> +<p>KOSICH. [Furiously] I'll be damned if I ever sit down to another + game of cards with that old cat!</p> +<p>He rushes into the garden. The SECOND GUEST follows him. GEORGE + is left alone at the table.</p> +<p>AVDOTIA. Whew! He makes my blood boil! Old cat, indeed! You're an + old cat yourself!</p> +<p>MARTHA. How angry you are, aunty!</p> +<p>AVDOTIA. [Sees MARTHA and claps her hands] Are you here, my + darling? My beauty! And was I blind as a bat, and didn't see you? + Darling child! [She kisses her and sits down beside her] How + happy this makes me! Let me feast my eyes on you, my milk-white + swan! Oh, oh, you have bewitched me!</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. Why don't you find her a husband instead of singing + her praises?</p> +<p>AVDOTIA. He shall be found. I shall not go to my grave before I + have found a husband for her, and one for Sasha too. I shall not + go to my grave-- [She sighs] But where to find these husbands + nowadays? There sit some possible bridegrooms now, huddled + together like a lot of half-drowned rats!</p> +<p>THIRD GUEST. A most unfortunate comparison! It is my belief, + ladies, that if the young men of our day prefer to remain single, + the fault lies not with them, but with the existing, social + conditions!</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. Come, enough of that! Don't give us any mo re + philosophy; I don't like it!</p> +<p>Enter SASHA. She goes up to her father.</p> +<p>SASHA. How can you endure the stuffy air of this room when the + weather is so beautiful?</p> +<p>ZINAIDA. My dear Sasha, don't you see that Martha is here?</p> +<p>SASHA. I beg your pardon.</p> +<p>[She goes up to MARTHA and shakes hands.]</p> +<p>MARTHA. Yes, here I am, my dear little Sasha, and proud to + congratulate you. [They kiss each other] Many happy returns of + the day, dear!</p> +<p>SASHA. Thank you! [She goes and sits down by her father.]</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. As you were saying, Avdotia Nazarovna, husbands are + hard to find. I don't want to be rude, but I must say that the + young men of the present are a dull and poky lot, poor fellows! + They can't dance or talk or drink as they should do.</p> +<p>AVDOTIA. Oh, as far as drinking goes, they are all experts. Just + give them--give them---</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. Simply to drink is no art. A horse can drink. No, it + must be done in the right way. In my young days we used to sit + and cudgel our brains all day over our lessons, but as soon as + evening came we would fly off on some spree and keep it up till + dawn. How we used to dance and flirt, and drink, too! Or + sometimes we would sit and chatter and discuss everything under + the sun until we almost wagged our tongues off. But now-- [He + waves his hand] Boys are a puzzle to me. They are not willing + either to give a candle to God or a pitchfork to the devil! There + is only one young fellow in the country who is worth a penny, and + he is married. [Sighs] They say, too, that he is going crazy.</p> +<p>MARTHA. Who is he?</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. Nicholas Ivanoff.</p> +<p>MARTHA. Yes, he is a fine fellow, only [Makes a face] he is very + unhappy.</p> +<p>ZINAIDA. How could he be otherwise, poor boy! [She sighs] He made + such a bad mistake. When he married that Jewess of his he thought + of course that her parents would give away whole mountains of + gold with her, but, on the contrary, on the day she became a + Christian they disowned her, and Ivanoff has never seen a penny + of the money. He has repented of his folly now, but it is too + late.</p> +<p>SASHA. Mother, that is not true!</p> +<p>MARTHA. How can you say it is not true, Sasha, when we all know + it to be a fact? Why did he have to marry a Jewess? He must have + had some reason for doing it. Are Russian girls so scarce? No, he + made a mistake, poor fellow, a sad mistake. [Excitedly] And what + on earth can he do with her now? Where could she go if he were to + come home some day and say: "Your parents have deceived me; leave + my house at once!" Her parents wouldn't take her back. She might + find a place as a house-maid if she had ever learned to work, + which she hasn't. He worries and worries her now, but the Count + interferes. If it had not been for the Count, he would have + worried her to death long ago.</p> +<p>AVDOTIA. They say he shuts her up in a cellar and stuffs her with + garlic, and she eats and eats until her very soul reeks of it. + [Laughter.]</p> +<p>SASHA. But, father, you know that isn't true!</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. What if it isn't, Sasha? Let them spin yarns if it + amuses them. [He calls] Gabriel!</p> +<p>GABRIEL brings him another glass of vodka and a glass of water.</p> +<p>ZINAIDA. His misfortunes have almost ruined him, poor man. His + affairs are in a frightful condition. If Borkin did not take such + good charge of his estate he and his Jewess would soon be + starving to death. [She sighs] And what anxiety he has caused us! + Heaven only knows how we have suffered. Do you realise, my dear, + that for three years he has owed us nine thousand roubles?</p> +<p>MARTHA. [Horrified] Nine thousand!</p> +<p>ZINAIDA. Yes, that is the sum that my dear Paul has undertaken to + lend him. He never knows to whom it is safe to lend money and to + whom it is not. I don't worry about the principal, but he ought + to pay the interest on his debt.</p> +<p>SASHA. [Hotly] Mamma, you have already discussed this subject at + least a thousand times!</p> +<p>ZINAIDA. What difference does it make to you? Why should you + interfere?</p> +<p>SASHA. What is this mania you all have for gossiping about a man + who has never done any of you any harm? Tell me, what harm has he + done you?</p> +<p>THIRD GUEST. Let me say two words, Miss Sasha. I esteem Ivanoff, + and have always found him an honourable man, but, between + ourselves, I also consider him an adventurer.</p> +<p>SASHA. I congratulate you on your opinion!</p> +<p>THIRD GUEST. In proof of its truth, permit me to present to you + the following facts, as they were communicated to me by his + secretary, or shall I say rather, by his factotum, Borkin. Two + years ago, at the time of the cattle plague, he bought some + cattle and had them insured--</p> +<p>ZINAIDA. Yes, I remember hearing' of that.</p> +<p>THIRD GUEST. He had them insured, as you understand, and then + inoculated them with the disease and claimed the insurance.</p> +<p>SASHA. Oh, what nonsense, nonsense, nonsense! No one bought or + inoculated any cattle! The story was invented by Borkin, who then + went about boasting of his clever plan. Ivanoff would not forgive + Borkin for two weeks after he heard of it. He is only guilty of a + weak character and too great faith in humanity. He can't make up + his mind to get rid of that Borkin, and so all his possessions + have been tricked and stolen from him. Every one who has had + anything to do with Ivanoff has taken advantage of his generosity + to grow rich.</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. Sasha, you little firebrand, that will do!</p> +<p>SASHA. Why do you all talk like this? This eternal subject of + Ivanoff, Ivanoff, and always Ivanoff has grown insufferable, and + yet you never speak of anything else. [She goes toward the door, + then stops and comes back] I am surprised, [To the young men] and + utterly astonished at your patience, young men! How can you sit + there like that? Aren't you bored? Why, the very air is as dull + as ditchwater! Do, for heaven's sake say something; try to amuse + the girls a little, move about! Or if you can't talk of anything + except Ivanoff, you might laugh or sing or dance---</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. [Laughing] That's right, Sasha! Give them a good + scolding.</p> +<p>SASHA. Look here, will you do me a favour? If you refuse to dance + or sing or laugh, if all that is tedious, then let me beg you, + implore you, to summon all your powers, if only for this once, + and make one witty or clever remark. Let it be as impertinent and + malicious as you like, so long as it is funny and original. Won't + you perform this miracle, just once, to surprise us and make us + laugh? Or else you might think of some little thing which you + could all do together, something to make you stir about. Let the + girls admire you for once in their lives! Listen to me! I suppose + you want them to like you? Then why don't try to make them do it? + Oh, dear! There is something wrong with you all! You are a lot of + sleepy stick-in-the-muds! I have told you so a thousand times and + shall always go on repeating it; there is something wrong with + every one of you; something wrong, wrong, wrong!</p> +<p>Enter IVANOFF and SHABELSKI through the door on the right.</p> +<p>SHABELSKI. Who is making a speech here? Is it you, Sasha? [He + laughs and shakes hands with her] Many happy returns of the day, + my dear child. May you live as long as possible in this life, but + never be born again!</p> +<p>ZINAIDA. [Joyfully] My dear Count!</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. Who can this be? Not you, Count?</p> +<p>SHABELSKI. [Sees ZINAIDA and MARTHA sitting side by side] Two + gold mines side by side! What a pleasant picture it makes! [He + shakes hands with ZINAIDA] Good evening, Zuzu! [Shakes hands with + MARTHA] Good evening, Birdie!</p> +<p>ZINAIDA. I am charmed to see you, Count. You are a rare visitor + here now. [Calls] Gabriel, bring some tea! Please sit down.</p> +<p>She gets up and goes to the door and back, evidently much + preoccupied. SASHA sits down in her former place. IVANOFF + silently shakes hands with every one.</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. [To SHABELSKI] What miracle has brought you here? You + have given us a great surprise. Why, Count, you're a rascal, you + haven't been treating us right at all. [Leads him forward by the + hand] Tell me, why don't you ever come to see us now? Are you + offended?</p> +<p>SHABELSKI. How can I get here to see you? Astride a broomstick? I + have no horses of my own, and Nicholas won't take me with him + when he goes out. He says I must stay at home to amuse Sarah. + Send your horses for me and I shall come with pleasure.</p> +<p>LEBE DIEFF. [With a wave of the hand] Oh, that is easy to say! + But Zuzu would rather have a fit than lend the horses to any one. + My dear, dear old friend, you are more to me than any one I know! + You and I are survivors of those good old days that are gone + forever, and you alone bring back to my mind the love and + longings of my lost youth. Of course I am only joking, and yet, + do you know, I am almost in tears?</p> +<p>SHABELSKI. Stop, stop! You smell like the air of a wine cellar.</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. Dear friend, you cannot imagine how lonely I am + without my old companions! I could hang myself! [Whispers] Zuzu + has frightened all the decent men away with her stingy ways, and + now we have only this riff-raff, as you see: Tom, Dick, and + Harry. However, drink your tea.</p> +<p>ZINAIDA. [Anxiously, to GABRIEL] Don't bring it in like that! Go + fetch some jam to eat with it!</p> +<p>SHABELSKI. [Laughing loudly, to IVANOFF] Didn't I tell you so ? + [To LEBEDIEFF] I bet him driving over, that as soon as we arrived + Zuzu would want to feed us with jam!</p> +<p>ZINAIDA. Still joking, Count! [She sits down.]</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. She made twenty jars of it this year, and how else do + you expect her to get rid of it?</p> +<p>SHABELSKI. [Sits down near the table] Are you still adding to the + hoard, Zuzu? You will soon have a million, eh?</p> +<p>ZINAIDA. [Sighing] I know it seems as if no one could be richer + than we, but where do they think the money comes from? It is all + gossip.</p> +<p>SHABELSKI. Oh, yes, we all know that! We know how badly you play + your cards! Tell me, Paul, honestly, have you saved up a million + yet?</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. I don't know. Ask Zuzu.</p> +<p>SHABELSKI. [To MARTHA] And my plump little Birdie here will soon + have a million too! She is getting prettier and plumper not only + every day, but every hour. That means she has a nice little + fortune.</p> +<p>MARTHA. Thank you very much, your highness, but I don't like such + jokes.</p> +<p>SHABELSKI. My dear little gold mine, do you call that a joke? It + was a wail of the soul, a cry from the heart, that burst through + my lips. My love for you and Zuzu is immense. [Gaily] Oh, + rapture! Oh, bliss! I cannot look at you two without a madly + beating heart!</p> +<p>ZINAIDA. You are still the same, Count. [To GEORGE] Put out the + candles please, George. [GEORGE gives a start. He puts out the + candles and sits down again] How is your wife, Nicholas?</p> +<p>IVANOFF. She is very ill. The doctor said to-day that she + certainly had consumption.</p> +<p>ZINAIDA. Really? Oh, how sad! [She sighs] And we are all so fond + of her!</p> +<p>SHABELSKI. What trash you all talk! That story was invented by + that sham doctor, and is nothing but a trick of his. He wants to + masquerade as an Aesculapius, and so has started this consumption + theory. Fortunately her husband isn't jealous. [IVANOFF makes an + inpatient gesture] As for Sarah, I wouldn't trust a word or an + action of hers. I have made a point all my life of mistrusting + all doctors, lawyers, and women. They are shammers and deceivers.</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. [To SHABELSKI] You are an extraordinary person, + Matthew! You have mounted this misanthropic hobby of yours, and + you ride it through thick and thin like a lunatic You are a man + like any other, and yet, from the way you talk one would imagine + that you had the pip, or a cold in the head.</p> +<p>SHABELSKI. Would you have me go about kissing every rascal and + scoundrel I meet?</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. Where do you find all these rascals and scoundrels?</p> +<p>SHABELSKI. Of course I am not talking of any one here present, + nevertheless----</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. There you are again with your "nevertheless." All this + is simply a fancy of yours.</p> +<p>SHABELSKI. A fancy? It is lucky for you that you have no + knowledge of the world!</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. My knowledge of the world is this: I must sit here + prepared at any moment to have death come knocking at the door. + That is my knowledge of the world. At our age, brother, you and I + can't afford to worry about knowledge of the world. So then-- [He + calls] Oh, Gabriel!</p> +<p>SHABELSKI. You have had quite enough already. Look at your nose.</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. No matter, old boy. I am not going to be married + to-day.</p> +<p>ZINAIDA. Doctor Lvoff has not been here for a long time. He seems + to have forgotten us.</p> +<p>SASHA. That man is one of my aversions. I can't stand his icy + sense of honour. He can't ask for a glass of water or smoke a + cigarette without making a display of his remarkable honesty. + Walking and talking, it is written on his brow: "I am an honest + man." He is a great bore.</p> +<p>SHABELSKI. He is a narrow-minded, conceited medico. [Angrily] He + shrieks like a parrot at every step: "Make way for honest + endeavour!" and thinks himself another St. Francis. Everybody is + a rascal who doesn't make as much noise as he does. As for his + penetration, it is simply remarkable! If a peasant is well off + and lives decently, he sees at once that he must be a thief and a + scoundrel. If I wear a velvet coat and am dressed by my valet, I + am a rascal and the valet is my slave. There is no place in this + world for a man like him. I am actually afraid of him. Yes, + indeed, he is likely, out of a sense of duty, to insult a man at + any moment and to call him a knave.</p> +<p>IVANOFF. I am dreadfully tired of him, but I can't help liking + him, too, he is so sincere.</p> +<p>SHABELSKI. Oh, yes, his sincerity is beautiful! He came up to me + yesterday evening and remarked absolutely apropos of nothing: + "Count, I have a deep aversion to you!" It isn't as if he said + such things simply, but they are extremely pointed. His voice + trembles, his eyes flash, his veins swell. Confound his infernal + honesty! Supposing I am disgusting and odious to him? What is + more natural? I know that I am, but I don't like to be told so to + my face. I am a worthless old man, but he might have the decency + to respect my grey hairs. Oh, what stupid, heartless honesty!</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. Come, come, you have been young yourself, and should + make allowances for him.</p> +<p>SHABELSKI. Yes, I have been young and reckless; I have played the + fool in my day and have seen plenty of knaves and scamps, but I + have never called a thief a thief to his face, or talked of ropes + in the house of a man who had been hung. I knew how to behave, + but this idiotic doctor of yours would think himself in the + seventh heaven of happiness if fate would allow him to pull my + nose in public in the name of morality and human ideals.</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. Young men are all stubborn and restive. I had an uncle + once who thought himself a philosopher. He would fill his house + with guests, and after he had had a drink he would get up on a + chair, like this, and begin: "You ignoramuses! You powers of + darkness! This is the dawn of a new life!" And so on and so on; + he would preach and preach---</p> +<p>SASHA. And the guests?</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. They would just sit and listen and go on drinking. + Once, though, I challenged him to a duel, challenged my own + uncle! It came out of a discussion about Sir Francis Bacon. I was + sitting, I remember, where Matthew is, and my uncle and the late + Gerasim Nilitch were standing over there, about where Nicholas is + now. Well, Gerasim Nilitch propounded this question---</p> +<p>Enter BORKIN. He is dressed like a dandy and carries a parcel + under his arm. He comes in singing and skipping through the door + on the right. A murmur of approval is heard.</p> +<p>THE GIRLS. Oh, Michael Borkin!</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. Hallo, Misha!</p> +<p>SHABELSKI. The soul of the company!</p> +<p>BORKIN. Here we are! [He runs up to SASHA] Most noble Signorina, + let me be so bold as to wish to the whole world many happy + returns of the birthday of such an exquisite flower as you! As a + token of my enthusiasm let me presume to present you with these + fireworks and this Bengal fire of my own manufacture. [He hands + her the parcel] May they illuminate the night as brightly as you + illuminate the shadows of this dark world. [He spreads them out + theatrically before her.]</p> +<p>SASHA. Thank you.</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. [Laughing loudly, to IVANOFF] Why don't you send this + Judas packing?</p> +<p>BORKIN. [To LEBEDIEFF] My compliments to you, sir. [To IVANOFF] + How are you, my patron? [Sings] Nicholas voila, hey ho hey! [He + greets everybody in turn] Most highly honoured Zinaida! Oh, + glorious Martha! Most ancient Avdotia! Noblest of Counts!</p> +<p>SHABELSKI. [Laughing] The life of the company! The moment he + comes in the air fe els livelier. Have you noticed it?</p> +<p>BORKIN. Whew! I am tired! I believe I have shaken hands with + everybody. Well, ladies and gentlemen, haven't you some little + tidbit to tell me; something spicy? [Speaking quickly to ZINAIDA] + Oh, aunty! I have something to tell you. As I was on my way + here-- [To GABRIEL] Some tea, please Gabriel, but without jam--as + I was on my way here I saw some peasants down on the river-bank + pulling the bark off the trees. Why don't you lease that meadow?</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. [To IVANOFF] Why don't you send that Judas away?</p> +<p>ZINAIDA. [Startled] Why, that is quite true! I never thought of + it.</p> +<p>BORKIN. [Swinging his arms] I can't sit still! What tricks shall we be up to + next, aunty? I am all on edge, Martha, absolutely exalted. [He sings]</p> +<blockquote> + <p> "Once more I stand before thee!"</p> +</blockquote> +<p>ZINAIDA. Think of something to amuse us, Misha, we are all bored.</p> +<p>BORKIN. Yes, you look so. What is the matter with you all? Why + are you sitting there as solemn as a jury? Come, let us play + something; what shall it be? Forfeits? Hide-and-seek? Tag? Shall + we dance, or have the fireworks?</p> +<p>THE GIRLS. [Clapping their hands] The fireworks! The fireworks! + [They run into the garden.]</p> +<p>SASHA. [ To IVANOFF] What makes you so depressed today?</p> +<p>IVANOFF. My head aches, little Sasha, and then I feel bored.</p> +<p>SASHA. Come into the sitting-room with me.</p> +<p>They go out through the door on the right. All the guests go into + the garden and ZINAIDA and LEBEDIEFF are left alone.</p> +<p>ZINAIDA. That is what I like to see! A young man like Misha comes + into the room and in a minute he has everybody laughing. [She + puts out the large lamp] There is no reason the candles should + burn for nothing so long as they are all in the garden. [She + blows out the candles.]</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. [Following her] We really ought to give our guests + something to eat, Zuzu!</p> +<p>ZINAIDA. What crowds of candles; no wonder we are thought rich.</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. [Still following her] Do let them have something to + eat, Zuzu; they are young and must be hungry by now, poor + things--Zuzu!</p> +<p>ZINAIDA. The Count did not finish his tea, and all that sugar has + been wasted. [Goes out through the door on the left.]</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. Bah! [Goes out into the garden.]</p> +<p>Enter IVANOFF and SASHA through the door on the right.</p> +<p>IVANOFF. This is how it is, Sasha: I used to work hard and think + hard, and never tire; now, I neither do anything nor think + anything, and I am weary, body and soul. I feel I am terribly to + blame, my conscience leaves me no peace day or night, and yet I + can't see clearly exactly what my mistakes are. And now comes my + wife's illness, our poverty, this eternal backbiting, gossiping, + chattering, that foolish Borkin--My home has become unendurable + to me, and to live there is worse than torture. Frankly, Sasha, + the presence of my wife, who loves me, has become unbearable. You + are an old friend, little Sasha, you will not be angry with me + for speaking so openly. I came to you to be cheered, but I am + bored here too, something urges me home again. Forgive me, I + shall slip away at once.</p> +<p>SASHA. I can understand your trouble, Nicholas. You are unhappy + because you are lonely. You need some one at your side whom you + can love, someone who understands you.</p> +<p>IVANOFF. What an idea, Sasha! Fancy a crusty old badger like + myself starting a love affair! Heaven preserve me from such + misfortune! No, my little sage, this is not a case for romance. + The fact is, I can endure all I have to suffer: sadness, sickness + of mind, ruin, the loss of my wife, and my lonely, broken old + age, but I cannot, I will not, endure the contempt I have for + myself! I am nearly killed by shame when I think that a strong, + healthy man like myself has become--oh, heaven only knows + what--by no means a Manfred or a Hamlet! There are some + unfortunates who feel flattered when people call them Hamlets and + cynics, but to me it is an insult. It wounds my pride and I am + tortured by shame and suffer agony.</p> +<p>SASHA. [Laughing through her tears] Nicholas, let us run away to + America together!</p> +<p>IVANOFF. I haven't the energy to take such a step as that, and + besides, in America you-- [They go toward the door into the + garden] As a matter of fact, Sasha, this is not a good place for + you to live. When I look about at the men who surround you I am + terrified for you; whom is there you could marry? Your only + chance will be if some passing lieutenant or student steals your + heart and carries you away.</p> +<p>Enter ZINAIDA through the door on the right with a jar of jam.</p> +<p>IVANOFF. Excuse me, Sasha, I shall join you in a minute.</p> +<p>SASHA goes out into the garden.</p> +<p>IVANOFF. [To ZINAIDA] Zinaida, may I ask you a favour?</p> +<p>ZINAIDA. What is it?</p> +<p>IVANOFF. The fact is, you know, that the interest on my note is + due day after to-morrow, but I should be more than obliged to you + if you will let me postpone the payment of it, or would let me + add the interest to the capital. I simply cannot pay it now; I + haven't the money.</p> +<p>ZINAIDA. Oh, Ivanoff, how could I do such a thing? Would it be + business-like? No, no, don't ask it, don't torment an unfortunate + old woman.</p> +<p>IVANOFF. I beg your pardon. [He goes out into the garden.]</p> +<p>ZINAIDA. Oh, dear! Oh, dear! What a fright he gave me! I am + trembling all over. [Goes out through the door on the right.]</p> +<p>Enter KOSICH through the door on the left. He walks across the + stage.</p> +<p>KOSICH. I had the ace, king, queen, and eight of diamonds, the + ace of spades, and one, just one little heart, and she--may the + foul fiend fly away with her,--she couldn't make a little slam!</p> +<p>Goes out through the door on the right. Enter from the garden + AVDOTIA and FIRST GUEST.</p> +<p>AVDOTIA. Oh, how I should like to get my claws into her, the + miserable old miser! How I should like it! Does she think it a + joke to leave us sitting here since five o'clock without even + offering us a crust to eat? What a house! What management!</p> +<p>FIRST GUEST. I am so bored that I feel like beating my head + against the wall. Lord, what a queer lot of people! I shall soon + be howling like a wolf and snapping at them from hunger and + weariness.</p> +<p>AVDOTIA. How I should like to get my claws into her, the old + sinner!</p> +<p>FIRST GUEST. I shall get a drink, old lady, and then home I go! I + won't have anything to do with these belles of yours. How the + devil can a man think of love who hasn't had a drop to drink + since dinner?</p> +<p>AVDOTIA. Come on, we will go and find something.</p> +<p>FIRST GUEST. Sh! Softly! I think the brandy is in the sideboard + in the dining-room. We will find George! Sh!</p> +<p>They go out through the door on the left. Enter ANNA and LVOFF + through the door on the right.</p> +<p>ANNA. No, they will be glad to see us. Is no one here? Then they + must be in the garden.</p> +<p>LVOFF. I should like to know why you have brought me into this + den of wolves. This is no place for you and me; honourable people + should not be subjected to such influences as these.</p> +<p>ANNA. Listen to me, Mr. Honourable Man. When you are escorting a + lady it is very bad manners to talk to her the whole way about + nothing but your own honesty. Such behaviour may be perfectly + honest, but it is also tedious, to say the least. Never tell a + woman how good you are; let her find it out herself. My Nicholas + used only to sing and tell stories when he was young as you are, + and yet every woman knew at once what kind of a man he was.</p> +<p>LVOFF. Don't talk to me of your Nicholas; I know all about him!</p> +<p>ANNA. You are a very worthy man, but you don't know anything at + all. Come into the garden. He never said: "I am an honest man; + these surroundings are too narrow for me." He never spoke of + wolves' dens, called people bears or vultures. He left the animal + kingdom alone, and the most I have ever heard him say when he was + excited was: "Oh, how unjust I have been to-day!" or "Annie, + I am + sorry for that man." That's what he would say, but you--</p> +<p>ANNA and LVOFF go out. Enter AVDOTIA and FIRST GUEST through the + door on the left.</p> +<p>FIRST GUEST. There isn't any in the dining-room, so it must be + somewhere in the pantry. We must find George. Come this way, + through the sitting-room.</p> +<p>AVDOTIA. Oh, how I should like to get my claws into her!</p> +<p>They go out through the door on the right. MARTHA and BORKIN run + in laughing from the garden. SHABELSK I comes mincing behind + them, laughing and rubbing his hands.</p> +<p>MARTHA. Oh, I am so bored! [Laughs loudly] This is deadly! Every + one looks as if he had swallowed a poker. I am frozen to the + marrow by this icy dullness. [She skips about] Let us do + something!</p> +<p>BORKIN catches her by the waist and kisses her cheek.</p> +<p>SHABELSKI. [Laughing and snapping his fingers] Well, I'll be + hanged! [Cackling] Really, you know!</p> +<p>MARTHA. Let go! Let go, you wretch! What will the Count think? + Stop, I say!</p> +<p>BORKIN. Angel! Jewel! Lend me twenty-three hundred roubles.</p> +<p>MARTHA. Most certainly not! Do what you please, but I'll thank + you to leave my money alone. No, no, no! Oh, let go, will you?</p> +<p>SHABELSKI. [Mincing around them] The little birdie has its + charms! [Seriously] Come, that will do!</p> +<p>BORKIN. Let us come to the point, and consider my proposition + frankly as a business arrangement. Answer me honestly, without + tricks and equivocations, do you agree to do it or not? Listen to + me; [Pointing to Shabelski] he needs money to the amount of at + least three thousand a year; you need a husband. Do you want to + be a Countess?</p> +<p>SHABELSKI. [Laughing loudly] Oh, the cynic!</p> +<p>BORKIN. Do you want to be a Countess or not?</p> +<p>MARTHA. [Excitedly] Wait a minute; really, Misha, these things + aren't done in a second like this. If the Count wants to marry + me, let him ask me himself, and--and--I don't see, I don't + understand--all this is so sudden---</p> +<p>BORKIN. Come, don't let us beat about the bush; this is a + business arrangement. Do you agree or not?</p> +<p>SHABELSKI. [Chuckling and rubbing his hands] Supposing I do marry + her, eh? Hang it, why shouldn't I play her this shabby trick? + What do you say, little puss? [He kisses her cheek] Dearest + chick-a-biddy!</p> +<p>MARTHA. Stop! Stop! I hardly know what I am doing. Go away! + No--don't go!</p> +<p>BORKIN. Answer at once: is it yes or no? We can't stand here + forever.</p> +<p>MARTHA. Look here, Count, come and visit me for three or four + days. It is gay at my house, not like this place. Come to-morrow. + [To BORKIN] Or is this all a joke?</p> +<p>BORKIN. [Angrily] How could I joke on such a serious subject?</p> +<p>MARTHA. Wait! Stop! Oh, I feel faint! A Countess! I am fainting, + I am falling!</p> +<p>BORKIN and SHABELSKI laugh and catch her by the arms. They kiss + her cheeks and lead her out through the door on the right. + IVANOFF and SASHA run in from the garden.</p> +<p>IVANOFF. [Desperately clutching his head] It can't be true! Don't + Sasha, don't! Oh, I implore you not to!</p> +<p>SASHA. I love you madly. Without you my life can have no meaning, + no happiness, no hope.</p> +<p>IVANOFF. Why, why do you say that? What do you mean? Little + Sasha, don't say it!</p> +<p>SASHA. You were the only joy of my childhood; I loved you body + and soul then, as myself, but now--Oh, I love you, Nicholas! Take + me with you to the ends of the earth, wherever you wish; but for + heaven's sake let us go at once, or I shall die.</p> +<p>IVANOFF. [Shaking with wild laughter] What is this? Is it the + beginning for me of a new life? Is it, Sasha? Oh, my happiness, + my joy! [He draws her to him] My freshness, my youth!</p> +<p>Enter ANNA from the garden. She sees her husband and SASHA, and + stops as if petrified.</p> +<p>IVANOFF. Oh, then I shall live once more? And work?</p> +<p>IVANOFF and SASHA kiss each other. After the kiss they look + around and see ANNA.</p> +<p>IVANOFF. [With horror] Sarah!</p> +<p>The curtain falls.</p> +<p> </p> +<h3 align="center">ACT III</h3> +<p> </p> +<p>Library in IVANOFF'S house. On the walls hang maps, pictures, guns, pistols, + sickles, whips, etc. A writing-table. On it lie in disorder knick-knacks, papers, + books, parcels, and several revolvers. Near the papers stand a lamp, a decanter + of vodka, and a plate of salted herrings. Pieces of bread and cucumber are scattered + about. SHABELSKI and LEBEDIEFF are sitting at the writing-table. BORKIN is sitting + astride a chair in the middle of the room. PETER is standing near the door.</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. The policy of France is clear and definite; the French + know what they want: it is to skin those German sausages, but the + Germans must sing another song; France is not the only thorn in + their flesh.</p> +<p>SHABELSKI. Nonsense! In my opinion the Germans are cowards and + the French are the same. They are showing their teeth at one + another, but you can take my word for it, they will not do more + than that; they'll never fight!</p> +<p>BORKIN. Why should they fight? Why all these congresses, this + arming and expense? Do you know what I would do in their place? I + would catch all the dogs in the kingdom and inoculate them with + Pasteur's serum, then I would let them loose in the enemy's + country, and the enemies would all go mad in a month.</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. [Laughing] His head is small, but the great ideas are + hidden away in it like fish in the sea!</p> +<p>SHABELSKI. Oh, he is a genius.</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. Heaven help you, Misha, you are a funny chap. [He + stops laughing] But how is this, gentlemen? Here we are talking + Germany, Germany, and never a word about vodka! Repetatur! [He + fills three glasses] Here's to you all! [He drinks and eats] This + herring is the best of all relishes.</p> +<p>SHABELSKI. No, no, these cucumbers are better; every wise man + since the creation of the world has been trying to invent + something better than a salted cucumber, and not one has + succeeded. [To PETER] Peter, go and fetch some more cucumbers. + And Peter, tell the cook to make four little onion pasties, and + see that we get them hot.</p> +<p>PETER goes out.</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. Caviar is good with vodka, but it must be prepared + with skill. Take a quarter of a pound of pressed caviar, two + little onions, and a little olive oil; mix them together and put + a slice of lemon on top--so! Lord! The very perfume would drive + you crazy!</p> +<p>BORKIN. Roast snipe are good too, but they must be cooked right. + They should first be cleaned, then sprinkled with bread crumbs, + and roasted until they will crackle between the teeth--crunch, + crunch!</p> +<p>SHABELSKI. We had something good at Martha's yesterday: white + mushrooms.</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. You don't say so!</p> +<p>SHABELSKI. And they were especially well prepared, too, with + onions and bay-leaves and spices, you know. When the dish was + opened, the odour that floated out was simply intoxicating!</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. What do you say, gentlemen? Repetatur! [He drinks] + Good health to you! [He looks at his watch] I must be going. I + can't wait for Nicholas. So you say Martha gave you mushrooms? We + haven't seen one at home. Will you please tell me, Count, what + plot you are hatching that takes you to Martha's so often?</p> +<p>SHABELSKI. [Nodding at BORKIN] He wants me to marry her.</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. Wants you to marry her! How old are you?</p> +<p>SHABELSKI. Sixty-two.</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. Really, you are just the age to marry, aren't you? And + Martha is just suited to you!</p> +<p>BORKIN. This is not a question of Martha, but of Martha's money.</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. Aren't you moonstruck, and don't you want the moon + too?</p> +<p>SHABELSKI. Borkin here is quite in earnest about it; the clever + fellow is sure I shall obey orders, and marry Martha.</p> +<p>BORKIN. What do you mean? Aren't you sure yourself?</p> +<p>SHABELSKI. Are you mad? I never was sure of anything. Bah!</p> +<p>BORKIN. Many thanks! I am much obliged to you for the + information. So you are trying to fool me, are you? First you say + you will marry Martha and then you say you won't; the devil only + knows which you really mean, but I have given her my word of + honour that you will. So you have changed your mind, have you?</p> +<p>SHABELSKI. He is actually in earnest; what an extraordinary man!</p> +<p>BORKIN. [losing his temper] If that is how you feel about it, why + have you turned an honest woman's head? Her heart is set on your + title, and she can neither eat nor sleep for thinking of it. How + can you make a jest of such things? Do you think such behaviour + is honourable?</p> +<p>SHABELSKI. [Snapping his fingers] Well, why not play her this + shabby trick, after all? Eh? Just out of spite? I shall certainly + do it, upon my word I shall! What a joke it will be!</p> +<p>Enter LVOFF.</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. We bow before you, Aesculapius! [He shakes hands with + LVOFF and sings]</p> +<p> "Doctor, doctor, save, oh, save me, + I am scared to death of dying!"</p> +<p>LVOFF. Hasn't Ivanoff come home yet?</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. Not yet. I have been waiting for him myself for over + an hour.</p> +<p>LVOFF walks impatiently up and down.</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. How is Anna to-day?</p> +<p>LVO FF. Very ill.</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. [Sighing] May one go and pay one's respects to her?</p> +<p>LVOFF. No, please don't. She is asleep, I believe.</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. She is a lovely, charming woman. [Sighing] The day she + fainted at our house, on Sasha's birthday, I saw that she had not + much longer to live, poor thing. Let me see, why did she faint? + When I ran up, she was lying on the floor, ashy white, with + Nicholas on his knees beside her, and Sasha was standing by them + in tears. Sasha and I went about almost crazy for a week after + that.</p> +<p>SHABELSKI. [To LVOFF] Tell me, most honoured disciple of science, + what scholar discovered that the frequent visits of a young + doctor were beneficial to ladies suffering from affections of the + chest? It is a remarkable discovery, remarkable! Would you call + such treatment Allopathic or Homeopathic?</p> +<p>LVOFF tries to answer, but makes an impatient gesture instead, + and walks out of the room.</p> +<p>SHABELSKI. What a withering look he gave me!</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. Some fiend must prompt you to say such things! Why did + you offend him?</p> +<p>SHABELSKI. [Angrily] Why does he tell such lies? Consumption! No + hope! She is dying! It is nonsense, I can't abide him!</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. What makes you think he is lying?</p> +<p>SHABELSKI. [Gets up and walks up and down] I can't bear to think + that a living person could die like that, suddenly, without any + reason at all. Don't let us talk about it!</p> +<p>KOSICH runs in panting.</p> +<p>KOSICH. Is Ivanoff at home? How do you do? [He shakes hands + quickly all round] Is he at home?</p> +<p>BORKIN. No, he isn't.</p> +<p>KOSICH. [Sits down and jumps up again] In that case I must say + goodbye; I must be going. Business, you know. I am absolutely + exhausted; run off my feet!</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. Where did you blow in from?</p> +<p>KOSICH. From Barabanoff's. He and I have been playing cards all + night; we have only just stopped. I have been absolutely fleeced; + that Barabanoff is a demon at cards. [In a tearful voice] Just + listen to this: I had a heart and he [He turns to BORKIN, who + jumps away from him] led a diamond, and I led a heart, and he led + another diamond. Well, he didn't take the trick. [To LEBEDIEFF] + We were playing three in clubs. I had the ace and queen, and the + ace and ten of spades--</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. [Stopping up his ears] Spare me, for heaven's sake, + spare me!</p> +<p>KOSICH. [To SHABELSKI] Do you understand? I had the ace and queen + of clubs, the ace and ten of spades</p> +<p>SHABELSKI. [Pushes him away] Go away, I don't want to listen to + you!</p> +<p>KOSICH. When suddenly misfortune overtook me. My ace of spades + took the first trick--</p> +<p>SHABELSKI. [Snatching up a revolver] Leave the room, or I shall + shoot!</p> +<p>KOSICH. [Waving his hands] What does this mean? Is this the + Australian bush, where no one has any interests in common? Where + there is no public spirit, and each man lives for himself alone? + However, I must be off. My time is precious. [He shakes hands + with LEBEDIEFF] Pass!</p> +<p>General laughter. KOSICH goes out. In the doorway he runs into + AVDOTIA.</p> +<p>AVDOTIA. [Shrieks] Bad luck to you, you nearly knocked me down.</p> +<p>ALL. Oh, she is always everywhere at once!</p> +<p>AVDOTIA. So this is where you all are? I have been looking for + you all over the house. Good-day to you, boys!</p> +<p>[She shakes hands with everybody.]</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. What brings you here?</p> +<p>AVDOTIA. Business, my son. [To SHABELSKI] Business connected with + your highness. She commanded me to bow. [She bows] And to inquire + after your health. She told me to say, the little birdie, that if + you did not come to see her this evening she would cry her eyes + out. Take him aside, she said, and whisper in his ear. But why + should I make a secret of her message? We are not stealing + chickens, but arranging an affair of lawful love by mutual + consent of both parties. And now, although I never drink, I shall + take a drop under these circumstances.</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. So shall I. [He pours out the vodka] You must be + immortal, you old magpie! You were an old woman when I first knew + you, thirty years ago.</p> +<p>AVDOTIA. I have lost count of the years. I have buried three + husbands, and would have married a fourth if any one had wanted a + woman without a dowry. I have had eight children. [She takes up + the glass] Well, we have begun a good work, may it come to a good + end! They will live happily ever after, and we shall enjoy their + happiness. Love and good luck to them both! [She drinks] This is + strong vodka!</p> +<p>SHABELSKI. [laughing loudly, to LEBEDIEFF] The funny thing is, + they actually think I am in earnest. How strange! [He gets up] + And yet, Paul, why shouldn't I play her this shabby trick? Just + out of spite? To give the devil something to do, eh, Paul?</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. You are talking nonsense, Count. You and I must fix + our thoughts on dying now; we have left Martha's money far behind + us; our day is over.</p> +<p>SHABELSKI. No, I shall certainly marry her; upon my word, I + shall!</p> +<p>Enter IVANOFF and LVOFF.</p> +<p>LVOFF. Will you please spare me five minutes of your time?</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. Hallo, Nicholas! [He goes to meet IVANOFF] How are + you, old friend? I have been waiting an hour for you.</p> +<p>AVDOTIA. [Bows] How do you do, my son?</p> +<p>IVANOFF. [Bitterly] So you have turned my library into a bar-room + again, have you? And yet I have begged you all a thousand times + not to do so! [He goes up to the table] There, you see, you have + spilt vodka all over my papers and scattered crumbs and cucumbers + everywhere! It is disgusting!</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. I beg your pardon, Nicholas. Please forgive me. I have + something very important to speak to you about.</p> +<p>BORKIN. So have I.</p> +<p>LVOFF. May I have a word with you?</p> +<p>IVANOFF. [Pointing to LEBEDIEFF] He wants to speak to me; wait a + minute. [To LEBEDIEFF] Well, what is it?</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. [To the others] Excuse me, ladies and gentlemen, I + want to speak to him in private.</p> +<p>SHABELSKI goes out, followed by AVDOTIA, BORKIN, and LVOFF.</p> +<p>IVANOFF. Paul, you may drink yourself as much as you choose, it + is your weakness, but I must ask you not to make my uncle tipsy. + He never used to drink at all; it is bad for him.</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. [Startled] My dear boy, I didn't know that! I wasn't + thinking of him at all.</p> +<p>IVANOFF. If this old baby should die on my hands the blame would + be mine, not yours. Now, what do you want? [A pause.]</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. The fact is, Nicholas--I really don't know how I can + put it to make it seem less brutal--Nicholas, I am ashamed of + myself, I am blushing, my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. + My dear boy, put yourself in my place; remember that I am not a + free man, I am as putty in the hands of my wife, a slave--forgive + me!</p> +<p>IVANOFF. What does this mean?</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. My wife has sent me to you; do me a favour, be a + friend to me, pay her the interest on the money you owe her. + Believe me, she has been tormenting me and going for me tooth and + nail. For heaven's sake, free yourself from her clutches!</p> +<p>IVANOFF. You know, Paul, that I have no money now.</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. I know, I know, but what can I do? She won't wait. If + she should sue you for the money, how could Sasha and I ever look + you in the face again?</p> +<p>IVANOFF. I am ready to sink through the floor with shame, Paul, + but where, where shall I get the money? Tell me, where? There is + nothing I can do but to wait until I sell my wheat in the autumn.</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. [Shrieks] But she won't wait! [A pause.]</p> +<p>IVANOFF. Your position is very delicate and unpleasant, but mine + is even worse. [He walks up and down in deep thought] I am at my + wit's end, there is nothing I can sell now.</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. You might go to Mulbach and get some money from him; + doesn't he owe you sixty thousand roubles?</p> +<p>IVANOFF makes a despairing gesture.</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. Listen to me, Nicholas, I know you will be angry, but + you must forgive an old drunkard like me. This is between + friends; remember I am your friend. We were students together, + both Liberals; we had the same interests and ideals; we studied + together at the University of Moscow. It is our Alma Mater. [He + takes out his purse] I have a private fund here; not a soul at + home knows of its existence. Let me lend it to you. [He takes out + the money and lays it on the table] Forget your pride; this is + between friends! I should take it from you, indeed I should! [A + pause] There is the money, one hundred thousand roubles. Take + it; + go to her y ourself and say: "Take the money, Zinaida, and may + you choke on it." Only, for heaven's sake, don't let her see by + your manner that you got it from me, or she would certainly go + for me, with her old jam! [He looks intently into IVANOFF'S face] + There, there, no matter. [He quickly takes up the money and + stuffs it back into his pocket] Don't take it, I was only joking. + Forgive me! Are you hurt?</p> +<p>IVANOFF waves his hand.</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. Yes, the truth is-- [He sighs] This is a time of + sorrow and pain for you. A man, brother, is like a samovar; he + cannot always stand coolly on a shelf; hot coals will be dropped + into him some day, and then--fizz! The comparison is idiotic, but + it is the best I can think of. [Sighing] Misfortunes wring the + soul, and yet I am not worried about you, brother. Wheat goes + through the mill, and comes out as flour, and you will come + safely through your troubles; but I am annoyed, Nicholas, and + angry with the people around you. The whole countryside is + buzzing with gossip; where does it all start? They say you will + be soon arrested for your debts, that you are a bloodthirsty + murderer, a monster of cruelty, a robber.</p> +<p>IVANOFF. All that is nothing to me; my head is aching.</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. Because you think so much.</p> +<p>IVANOFF. I never think.</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. Come, Nicholas, snap your fingers at the whole thing, + and drive over to visit us. Sasha loves and understands you. She + is a sweet, honest, lovely girl; too good to be the child of her + mother and me! Sometimes, when I look at her, I cannot believe + that such a treasure could belong to a fat old drunkard like me. + Go to her, talk to her, and let her cheer you. She is a good, + true-hearted girl.</p> +<p>IVANOFF. Paul, my dear friend, please go, and leave me alone.</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. I understand, I understand! [He glances at his watch] + Yes, I understand. [He kisses IVANOFF] Good-bye, I must go to the + blessing of the school now. [He goes as far as the door, then + stops] She is so clever! Sasha and I were talking about gossiping + yesterday, and she flashed out this epigram: "Father," she said, + "fire-flies shine at night so that the night-birds may make them + their prey, and good people are made to be preyed upon by gossips + and slanderers." What do you think of that? She is a genius, + another George Sand!</p> +<p>IVANOFF. [Stopping him as he goes out] Paul, what is the matter + with me?</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. I have wanted to ask you that myself, but I must + confess I was ashamed to. I don't know, old chap. Sometimes I + think your troubles have been too heavy for you, and yet I know + you are not the kind to give in to them; you would not be + overcome by misfortune. It must be something else, Nicholas, but + what it may be I can't imagine.</p> +<p>IVANOFF. I can't imagine either what the matter is, unless--and + yet no-- [A pause] Well, do you see, this is what I wanted to + say. I used to have a workman called Simon, you remember him. + Once, at threshing-time, to show the girls how strong he was, he + loaded himself with two sacks of rye, and broke his back. He died + soon after. I think I have broken my back also. First I went to + school, then to the university, then came the cares of this + estate, all my plans--I did not believe what others did; did not + marry as others did; I worked passionately, risked everything; no + one else, as you know, threw their money away to right and left + as I did. So I heaped the burdens on my back, and it broke. We + are all heroes at twenty, ready to attack anything, to do + everything, and at thirty are worn-out, useless men. How, oh, how + do you account for this weariness? However, I may be quite wrong; + go away, Paul, I am boring you.</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. I know what is the matter with you, old man: you got + out of bed on the wrong side this morning.</p> +<p>IVANOFF. That is stupid, Paul, and stale. Go away!</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. It is stupid, certainly. I see that myself now. I am + going at once. [LEBEDIEFF goes out.</p> +<p>IVANOFF. [Alone] I am a worthless, miserable, useless man. Only a + man equally miserable and suffering, as Paul is, could love or + esteem me now. Good God! How I loathe myself! How bitterly I hate + my voice, my hands, my thoughts, these clothes, each step I take! + How ridiculous it is, how disgusting! Less than a year ago I was + healthy and strong, full of pride and energy and enthusiasm. I + worked with these hands here, and my words could move the dullest + man to tears. I could weep with sorrow, and grow indignant at the + sight of wrong. I could feel the glow of inspiration, and + understand the beauty and romance of the silent nights which I + used to watch through from evening until dawn, sitting at my + worktable, and giving up my soul to dreams. I believed in a + bright future then, and looked into it as trustfully as a child + looks into its mother's eyes. And now, oh, it is terrible! I am + tired and without hope; I spend my days and nights in idleness; I + have no control over my feet or brain. My estate is ruined, my + woods are falling under the blows of the axe. [He weeps] My + neglected land looks up at me as reproachfully as an orphan. I + expect nothing, am sorry for nothing; my whole soul trembles at + the thought of each new day. And what can I think of my treatment + of Sarah? I promised her love and happiness forever; I opened her + eyes to the promise of a future such as she had never even + dreamed of. She believed me, and though for five years I have + seen her sinking under the weight of her sacrifices to me, and + losing her strength in her struggles with her conscience, God + knows she has never given me one angry look, or uttered one word + of reproach. What is the result? That I don't love her! Why? Is + it possible? Can it be true? I can't understand. She is + suffering; her days are numbered; yet I fly like a contemptible + coward from her white face, her sunken chest, her pleading eyes. + Oh, I am ashamed, ashamed! [A pause] Sasha, a young girl, is + sorry for me in my misery. She confesses to me that she loves me; + me, almost an old man! Whereupon I lose my head, and exalted as + if by music, I yell: "Hurrah for a new life and new happiness!" + Next day I believe in this new life and happiness as little as I + believe in my happiness at home. What is the matter with me? What + is this pit I am wallowing in? What is the cause of this + weakness? What does this nervousness come from? If my sick wife + wounds my pride, if a servant makes a mistake, if my gun misses + fire, I lose my temper and get violent and altogether unlike + myself. I can't, I can't understand it; the easiest way out would + be a bullet through the head!</p> +<p>Enter LVOFF.</p> +<p>LVOFF. I must have an explanation with you, Ivanoff.</p> +<p>IVANOFF. If we are going to have an explanation every day, + doctor, we shall neither of us have the strength to stand it.</p> +<p>LVOFF. Will you be good enough to hear me?</p> +<p>IVANOFF. I have heard all you have told me every day, and have + failed to discover yet what you want me to do.</p> +<p>LVOFF. I have always spoken plainly enough, and only an utterly + heartless and cruel man could fail to understand me.</p> +<p>IVANOFF. I know that my wife is dying; I know that I have sinned + irreparably; I know that you are an honest man. What more can you + tell me?</p> +<p>LVOFF. The sight of human cruelty maddens me. The woman is dying + and she has a mother and father whom she loves, and longs to see + once more before she dies. They know that she is dying and that + she loves them still, but with diabolical cruelty, as if to + flaunt their religious zeal, they refuse to see her and forgive + her. You are the man for whom she has sacrificed her home, her + peace of mind, everything. Yet you unblushingly go gadding to the + Lebedieffs' every evening, for reasons that are absolutely + unmistakable!</p> +<p>IVANOFF. Ah me, it is two weeks since I was there!</p> +<p>LVOFF. [Not listening to him] To men like yourself one must speak + plainly, and if you don't want to hear what I have to say, you + need not listen. I always call a spade a spade; the truth is, you + want her to die so that the way may be cleared for your other + schemes. Be it so; but can't you wait? If, instead of crushing + the life out of your wife by your heartless egoism, you let her + die naturally, do you think you would lose Sasha and Sasha's + money? Such an absolute Tartuffe as you are could turn the girl's + head and get her money a year from now as easily as you can + to-day. Why are you in such a hurry? Why do you want your wife to + die now, instead of in a month's time, or a year's?</p> +<p>IVANOFF. This is torture! You are a very bad doctor if you think + a man can control himself forever. It is all I can do not to + answer your insults.</p> +<p>LVOFF. Look here, whom are you trying to deceive? Throw off this + disguise!</p> +<p>IVANOFF. You who are so clever, you think that nothing in the + world is easier than to understand me, do you? I married Annie + for her money, did I? And when her parents wouldn't give it to + me, I changed my plans, and am now hustling her out of the world + so that I may marry another woman, who will bring me what I want? + You think so, do you? Oh, how easy and simple it all is! But you + are mistaken, doctor; in each one of us there are too many + springs, too many wheels and cogs for us to judge each other by + first impressions or by two or three external indications. I can + not understand you, you cannot understand me, and neither of us + can understand himself. A man may be a splendid doctor, and at + the same time a very bad judge of human nature; you will admit + that, unless you are too self-confident.</p> +<p>LVOFF. Do you really think that your character is so mysterious, + and that I am too stupid to tell vice from virtue?</p> +<p>IVANOFF. It is clear that we shall never agree, so let me beg you + to answer me now without any more preamble: exactly what do you + want me to do? [Angrily] What are you after anyway? And with whom + have I the honour of speaking? With my lawyer, or with my wife's + doctor?</p> +<p>LVOFF. I am a doctor, and as such I demand that you change your + conduct toward your wife; it is killing her.</p> +<p>IVANOFF. What shall I do? Tell me! If you understand me so much + better than I understand myself, for heaven's sake tell me + exactly what to do!</p> +<p>LVOFF. In the first place, don't be so unguarded in your + behaviour.</p> +<p>IVANOFF. Heaven help me, do you mean to say that you understand + yourself? [He drinks some water] Now go away; I am guilty a + thousand times over; I shall answer for my sins before God; but + nothing has given you the right to torture me daily as you do.</p> +<p>LVOFF. Who has given you the right to insult my sense of honour? + You have maddened and poisoned my soul. Before I came to this + place I knew that stupid, crazy, deluded people existed, but I + never imagined that any one could be so criminal as to turn his + mind deliberately in the direction of wickedness. I loved and + esteemed humanity then, but since I have known you--</p> +<p>IVANOFF. I have heard all that before.</p> +<p>LVOFF. You have, have you?</p> +<p>He goes out, shrugging his shoulders. He sees SASHA, who comes in + at this moment dressed for riding.</p> +<p>LVOFF. Now, however, I hope that we can understand one another!</p> +<p>IVANOFF. [Startled] Oh, Sasha, is that you?</p> +<p>SASHA. Yes, it is I. How are you? You didn't expect me, did you? + Why haven't you been to see us?</p> +<p>IVANOFF. Sasha, this is really imprudent of you! Your coming will + have a terrible effect on my wife!</p> +<p>SASHA. She won't see me; I came in by the back entrance; I shall + go in a minute. I am so anxious about you. Tell me, are you well? + Why haven't you been to see us for such a long time?</p> +<p>IVANOFF. My wife is offended already, and almost dying, and now + you come here; Sasha, Sasha, this is thoughtless and unkind of + you.</p> +<p>SASHA. How could I help coming? It is two weeks since you were at + our house, and you have not answered my letters. I imagined you + suffering dreadfully, or ill, or dead. I have not slept for + nights. I am going now, but first tell me that you are well.</p> +<p>IVANOFF. No, I am not well. I am a torment to myself, and every + one torments me without end. I can't stand it! And now you come + here. How morbid and unnatural it all is, Sasha. I am terribly + guilty.</p> +<p>SASHA. What dreadful, pitiful speeches you make! So you are + guilty, are you? Tell me, then, what is it you have done?</p> +<p>IVANOFF I don't know; I don't know!</p> +<p>SASHA. That is no answer. Every sinner should know what he is + guilty of. Perhaps you have been forging money?</p> +<p>IVANOFF. That is stupid.</p> +<p>SASHA. Or are you guilty because you no longer love your wife? + Perhaps you are, but no one is master of his feelings, and you + did not mean to stop loving her. Do you feel guilty because she + saw me telling you that I love you? No, that cannot be, because + you did not want her to see it--</p> +<p>IVANOFF. [Interrupting her] And so on, and so on! First you say I + love, and then you say I don't; that I am not master of my + feelings. All these are commonplace, worn-out sentiments, with + which you cannot help me.</p> +<p>SASHA. It is impossible to talk to you. [She looks at a picture + on the wall] How well those dogs are drawn! Were they done from + life?</p> +<p>IVANOFF. Yes, from life. And this whole romance of ours is a + tedious old story; a man loses heart and begins to go down in the + world; a girl appears, brave and strong of heart, and gives him a + hand to help him to rise again. Such situations are pretty, but + they are only found in novels and not in real life.</p> +<p>SASHA. No, they are found in real life too.</p> +<p>IVANOFF. Now I see how well you understand real life! My + sufferings seem noble to you; you imagine you have discovered in + me a second Hamlet; but my state of mind in all its phases is + only fit to furnish food for contempt and derision. My + contortions are ridiculous enough to make any one die of + laughter, and you want to play the guardian angel; you want to do + a noble deed and save me. Oh, how I hate myself to-day! I feel + that this tension must soon be relieved in some way. Either I + shall break something, or else--</p> +<p>SASHA. That is exactly what you need. Let yourself go! Smash + something; break it to pieces; give a yell! You are angry with + me, it was foolish of me to come here. Very well, then, get + excited about it; storm at me; stamp your feet! Well, aren't you + getting angry?</p> +<p>IVANOFF. You ridiculous girl!</p> +<p>SASHA. Splendid! So we are smiling at last! Be kind, do me the + favour of smiling once more!</p> +<p>IVANOFF. [Laughing] I have noticed that whenever you start + reforming me and saving my soul, and teaching me how to be good, + your face grows naive, oh so naive, and your eyes grow as wide as + if you were looking at a comet. Wait a moment; your shoulder is + covered with dust. [He brushes her shoulder] A naive man is + nothing better than a fool, but you women contrive to be naive in + such a way that in you it seems sweet, and gentle, and proper, + and not as silly as it really is. What a strange way you have, + though, of ignoring a man as long as he is well and happy, and + fastening yourselves to him as soon as he begins to whine and go + down-hill! Do you actually think it is worse to be the wife of a + strong man than to nurse some whimpering invalid?</p> +<p>SASHA. Yes, it is worse.</p> +<p>IVANOFF. Why do you think so? [Laughing loudly] It is a good + thing Darwin can't hear what you are saying! He would be furious + with you for degrading the human race. Soon, thanks to your + kindness, only invalids and hypochondriacs will be born into the + world.</p> +<p>SASHA. There are a great many things a man cannot understand. Any + girl would rather love an unfortunate man than a fortunate one, + because every girl would like to do something by loving. A man + has his work to do, and so for him love is kept in the + background. To talk to his wife, to walk with her in the garden, + to pass the time pleasantly with her, that is all that love means + to a man. But for us, love means life. I love you; that means + that I dream only of how I shall cure you of your sadness, how I + shall go with you to the ends of the earth. If you are in heaven, + I am in heaven; if you are in the pit, I am in the pit. For + instance, it would be the greatest happiness for me to write all + night for you, or to watch all night that no one should wake you. + I remember that three years ago, at threshing time, you came to + us all dusty and sunburnt and tired, and asked for a drink. When + I brought you a glass of water you were already lying on the sofa + and sleeping like a dead man. You slept there for half a day, and + all that time I watched by the door that no one should disturb + you. How happy I was! The more a girl can do, the greater her + love will be; that is, + I mean, the more she feels it</p> +<p>IVANOFF. The love that accomplishes things--hm--that is a fairy + tale, a girl's dream; and yet, perhaps it is as it should be. [He + shrugs his shoulders] How can I tell? [Gaily] On my honour, + Sasha, I really am quite a respectable man. Judge for yourself: I + have always liked to discuss things, but I have never in my life + said that our women were corrupt, or that such and such a woman + was on the down-hill path. I have always been grateful, and + nothing more. No, nothing more. Dear child, how comical you are! + And what a ridiculous old stupid I am! I shock all good Christian + folk, and go about complaining from morning to night. [He laughs + and then leaves her suddenly] But you must go, Sasha; we have + forgotten ourselves.</p> +<p>SASHA. Yes, it is time to go. Good-bye. I am afraid that that + honest doctor of yours will have told Anna out of a sense of duty + that I am here. Take my advice: go at once to your wife and stay + with her. Stay, and stay, and stay, and if it should be for a + year, you must still stay, or for ten years. It is your duty. You + must repent, and ask her forgiveness, and weep. That is what you + ought to do, and the great thing is not to forget to do right.</p> +<p>IVANOFF. Again I feel as if I were going crazy; again!</p> +<p>SASHA. Well, heaven help you! You must forget me entirely. In two + weeks you must send me a line and I shall be content with that. + But I shall write to you--</p> +<p>BORKIN looks in at the door.</p> +<p>BORKIN. Ivanoff, may I come in? [He sees SASHA] I beg your + pardon, I did not see you. Bonjour! [He bows.]</p> +<p>SASHA. [Embarrassed] How do you do?</p> +<p>BORKIN. You are plumper and prettier than ever.</p> +<p>SASHA. [To IVANOFF] I must go, Nicholas, I must go. [She goes + out.]</p> +<p>BORKIN. What a beautiful apparition! I came expecting prose and + found poetry instead. [Sings]</p> +<p>"You showed yourself to the world as a bird---"</p> +<p>IVANOFF walks excitedly up and down.</p> +<p>BORKIN. [Sits down] There is something in her, Nicholas, that one + doesn't find in other women, isn't there? An elfin strangeness. + [He sighs] Although she is without doubt the richest girl in the + country, her mother is so stingy that no one will have her. After + her mother's death Sasha will have the whole fortune, but until + then she will only give her ten thousand roubles and an old + flat-iron, and to get that she will have to humble herself to the + ground. [He feels in his pockets] Will you have a smoke? [He + offers IVANOFF his cigarette case] These are very good.</p> +<p>IVANOFF. [Comes toward BORKIN stifled with rage] Leave my house + this instant, and don't you ever dare to set foot in it again! Go + this instant!</p> +<p>BORKIN gets up and drops his cigarette.</p> +<p>IVANOFF. Go at once!</p> +<p>BORKIN. Nicholas, what do you mean? Why are you so angry?</p> +<p>IVANOFF. Why! Where did you get those cigarettes? Where? You + think perhaps that I don't know where you take the old man every + day, and for what purpose?</p> +<p>BORKIN. [Shrugs his shoulders] What business is it of yours?</p> +<p>IVANOFF. You blackguard, you! The disgraceful rumours that you + have been spreading about me have made me disreputable in the + eyes of the whole countryside. You and I have nothing in common, + and I ask you to leave my house this instant.</p> +<p>BORKIN. I know that you are saying all this in a moment of + irritation, and so I am not angry with you. Insult me as much as + you please. [He picks up his cigarette] It is time though, to + shake off this melancholy of yours; you're not a schoolboy.</p> +<p>IVANOFF. What did I tell you? [Shuddering] Are you making fun of + me?</p> +<p>Enter ANNA.</p> +<p>BORKIN. There now, there comes Anna! I shall go.</p> +<p>IVANOFF stops near the table and stands with his head bowed.</p> +<p>ANNA. [After a pause] What did she come here for? What did she + come here for, I ask you?</p> +<p>IVANOFF. Don't ask me, Annie. [A pause] I am terribly guilty. + Think of any punishment you want to inflict on me; I can stand + anything, but don't, oh, don't ask questions!</p> +<p>ANNA. [Angrily] So that is the sort of man you are? Now I + understand you, and can see how degraded, how dishonourable you + are! Do you remember that you came to me once and lied to me + about your love? I believed you, and left my mother, my father, + and my faith to follow you. Yes, you lied to me of goodness and + honour, of your noble aspirations and I believed every word---</p> +<p>IVANOFF. I have never lied to you, Annie.</p> +<p>ANNA. I have lived with you five years now, and I am tired and + ill, but I have always loved you and have never left you for a + moment. You have been my idol, and what have you done? All this + time you have been deceiving me in the most dastardly way---</p> +<p>IVANOFF. Annie, don't say what isn't so. I have made mistakes, + but I have never told a lie in my life. You dare not accuse me of + that!</p> +<p>ANNA. It is all clear to me now. You married me because you + expected my mother and father to forgive me and give you my + money; that is what you expected.</p> +<p>IVANOFF. Good Lord, Annie! If I must suffer like this, I must + have the patience to bear it. [He begins to weep.]</p> +<p>ANNA. Be quiet! When you found that I wasn't bringing you any + money, you tried another game. Now I remember and understand + everything. [She begins to cry] You have never loved me or been + faithful to me--never!</p> +<p>IVANOFF. Sarah! That is a lie! Say what you want, but don't + insult me with a lie!</p> +<p>ANNA. You dishonest, degraded man! You owe money to Lebedieff, + and now, to escape paying your debts, you are trying to turn the + head of his daughter and betray her as you have betrayed me. Can + you deny it?</p> +<p>IVANOFF. [Stifled with rage] For heaven's sake, be quiet! I can't + answer for what I may do! I am choking with rage and I--I might + insult you!</p> +<p>ANNA. I am not the only one whom you have basely deceived. You + have always blamed Borkin for all your dishonest tricks, but now + I know whose they are.</p> +<p>IVANOFF. Sarah, stop at once and go away, or else I shall say + something terrible. I long to say a dreadful, cruel thing [He + shrieks] Hold your tongue, Jewess!</p> +<p>ANNA. I won't hold my tongue! You have deceived me too long for + me to be silent now.</p> +<p>IVANOFF. So you won't be quiet? [He struggles with himself] Go, + for heaven's sake!</p> +<p>ANNA. Go now, and betray Sasha!</p> +<p>IVANOFF. Know then that you--are dying! The doctor told me that + you are dying.</p> +<p>ANNA. [Sits down and speaks in a low voice] When did he</p> +<p>IVANOFF. [Clutches his head with both hands] Oh, how guilty I + am--how guilty! [He sobs.]</p> +<p>The curtain falls.</p> +<p>About a year passes between the third and fourth acts.</p> +<p> </p> +<h3 align="center">ACT IV</h3> +<p> </p> +<p>A sitting-room in LEBEDIEFF'S house. In the middle of the wall at the back + of the room is an arch dividing the sitting-room from the ballroom. To the right + and left are doors. Some old bronzes are placed about the room; family portraits + are hanging on the walls. Everything is arranged as if for some festivity. On + the piano lies a violin; near it stands a violoncello. During the entire act + guests, dressed as for a ball, are seen walking about in the ball-room. </p> +<p>Enter LVOFF, looking at his watch.</p> +<p>LVOFF. It is five o'clock. The ceremony must have begun. First + the priest will bless them, and then they will be led to the + church to be married. Is this how virtue and justice triumph? Not + being able to rob Sarah, he has tortured her to death; and now he + has found another victim whom he will deceive until he has robbed + her, and then he will get rid of her as he got rid of poor Sarah. + It is the same old sordid story. [A pause] He will live to a fine + old age in the seventh heaven of happiness, and will die with a + clear conscience. No, Ivanoff, it shall not be! I shall drag your + villainy to light! And when I tear off that accursed mask of + yours and show you to the world as the blackguard you are, you + shall come plunging down headfirst from your seventh heaven, into + a pit so deep that the devil himself will not be able to drag you + out of it! I am a man of honour; it is my duty to interfere in + such cases as yours, and to open the eyes of the blind. I shall + fulfil my mission, and to-morrow will find me far away from this + accursed place. [Thoughtfully] But what shall I do? To have an + explanation with Lebedieff would be a hopeless task. Shall I make + a scandal, and challenge Ivanoff to a duel? I am as excited as a + child, and have entirely lost th e power of planning anything. + What shall I do? Shall I fight a duel?</p> +<p>Enter KOSICH. He goes gaily up to LVOFF.</p> +<p>KOSICH. I declared a little slam in clubs yesterday, and made a + grand slam! Only that man Barabanoff spoilt the whole game for me + again. We were playing--well, I said "No trumps" and he said + "Pass." "Two in clubs," he passed again. I made it two in + hearts. + He said "Three in clubs," and just imagine, can you, what + happened? I declared a little slam and he never showed his ace! + If he had showed his ace, the villain, I should have declared a + grand slam in no trumps!</p> +<p>LVOFF. Excuse me, I don't play cards, and so it is impossible for + me to share your enthusiasm. When does the ceremony begin?</p> +<p>KOSICH. At once, I think. They are now bringing Zuzu to herself + again. She is bellowing like a bull; she can't bear to see the + money go.</p> +<p>LVOFF. And what about the daughter?</p> +<p>KOSICH. No, it is the money. She doesn't like this affair anyway. + He is marrying her daughter, and that means he won't pay his + debts for a long time. One can't sue one's son-in-law.</p> +<p>MARTHA, very much dressed up, struts across the stage past LVOFF + and KOSICH. The latter bursts out laughing behind his hand. + MARTHA looks around.</p> +<p>MARTHA. Idiot!</p> +<p>KOSICH digs her in the ribs and laughs loudly.</p> +<p>MARTHA. Boor!</p> +<p>KOSICH. [Laughing] The woman's head has been turned. Before she + fixed her eye on a title she was like any other woman, but there + is no coming near her now! [Angrily] A boor, indeed!</p> +<p>LVOFF. [Excitedly] Listen to me; tell me honestly, what do you + think of Ivanoff?</p> +<p>KOSICH. He's no good at all. He plays cards like a lunatic. This + is what happened last year during Lent: I, the Count, Borkin and + he, sat down to a game of cards. I led a---</p> +<p>LVOFF [Interrupting him] Is he a good man?</p> +<p>KOSICH. He? Yes, he's a good one! He and the Count are a pair of + trumps. They have keen noses for a good game. First, Ivanoff set + his heart on the Jewess, then, when his schemes failed in that + quarter, he turned his thoughts toward Zuzu's money-bags. I'll + wager you he'll ruin Zuzu in a year. He will ruin Zuzu, and the + Count will ruin Martha. They will gather up all the money they + can lay hands on, and live happily ever after! But, doctor, why + are you so pale to-day? You look like a ghost.</p> +<p>LVOFF. Oh, it's nothing. I drank a little too much yesterday.</p> +<p>Enter LEBEDIEFF with SASHA.</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. We can have our talk here. [To LVOFF and KOSICH] Go + into the ball-room, you two old fogies, and talk to the girls. + Sasha and I want to talk alone here.</p> +<p>KOSICH. [Snapping his fingers enthusiastically as he goes by + SASHA] What a picture! A queen of trumps!</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. Go along, you old cave-dweller; go along.</p> +<p>KOSICH and LVOFF go out.</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. Sit down, Sasha, there-- [He sits down and looks about + him] Listen to me attentively and with proper respect. The fact + is, your mother has asked me to say this, do you understand? I am + not speaking for myself. Your mother told me to speak to you.</p> +<p>SASHA. Papa, do say it briefly!</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. When you are married we mean to give you fifteen + thousand roubles. Please don't let us have any discussion about + it afterward. Wait, now! Be quiet! That is only the beginning. + The best is yet to come. We have allotted you fifteen thousand + roubles, but in consideration of the fact that Nicholas owes your + mother nine thousand, that sum will have to be deducted from the + amount we mean to give you. Very well. Now, beside that---</p> +<p>SASHA. Why do you tell me all this?</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. Your mother told me to.</p> +<p>SASHA. Leave me in peace! If you had any respect for yourself or + me you could not permit yourself to speak to me in this way. I + don't want your money! I have not asked for it, and never shall.</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. What are you attacking me for? The two rats in Gogol's + fable sniffed first and then ran away, but you attack without + even sniffing.</p> +<p>SASHA. Leave me in peace, and do not offend my ears with your + two-penny calculations.</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. [Losing his temper] Bah! You all, every one of you, do + all you can to make me cut my throat or kill somebody. One of you + screeches and fusses all day and counts every penny, and the + other is so clever and humane and emancipated that she cannot + understand her own father! I offend your ears, do I? Don't you + realise that before I came here to offend your ears I was being + torn to pieces over there, [He points to the door] literally + drawn and quartered? So you cannot understand? You two have + addled my brain till I am utterly at my wits' end; indeed I am! + [He goes toward the door, and stops] I don't like this business + at all; I don't like any thing about you--</p> +<p>SASHA. What is it, especially, that you don't like?</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. Everything, everything!</p> +<p>SASHA. What do you mean by everything?</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. Let me explain exactly what I mean. Everything + displeases me. As for your marriage, I simply can't abide it. [He + goes up to SASHA and speaks caressingly] Forgive me, little + Sasha, this marriage may be a wise one; it may be honest and not + misguided, nevertheless, there is something about the whole + affair that is not right; no, not right! You are not marrying as + other girls do; you are young and fresh and pure as a drop of + water, and he is a widower, battered and worn. Heaven help him. I + don't understand him at all. [He kisses his daughter] Forgive me + for saying so, Sasha, but I am sure there is something crooked + about this affair; it is making a great deal of talk. It seems + people are saying that first Sarah died, and then suddenly + Ivanoff wanted to marry you. [Quickly] But, no, I am like an old + woman; I am gossiping like a magpie. You must not listen to me or + any one, only to your own heart.</p> +<p>SASHA. Papa, I feel myself that there is something wrong about my + marriage. Something wrong, yes, wrong! Oh, if you only knew how + heavy my heart is; this is unbearable! I am frightened and + ashamed to confess this; Papa darling, you must help me, for + heaven's sake. Oh, can't you tell me what I should do?</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. What is the matter, Sasha, what is it?</p> +<p>SASHA. I am so frightened, more frightened than I have ever been + before. [She glances around her] I cannot understand him now, and + I never shall. He has not smiled or looked straight into my eyes + once since we have been engaged. He is forever complaining and + apologising for something; hinting at some crime he is guilty of, + and trembling. I am so tired! There are even moments when I + think--I think--that I do not love him as I should, and when he + comes to see us, or talks to me, I get so tired! What does it + mean, dear father? I am afraid.</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. My darling, my only child, do as your old father + advises you; give him up!</p> +<p>SASHA. [Frightened] Oh! How can you say that?</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. Yes, do it, little Sasha! It will make a scandal, all + the tongues in the country will be wagging about it, but it is + better to live down a scandal than to ruin one's life.</p> +<p>SASHA. Don't say that, father. Oh, don't. I refuse to listen! I + must crush such gloomy thoughts. He is good and unhappy and + misunderstood. I shall love him and learn to understand him. I + shall set him on his feet again. I shall do my duty. That is + settled.</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. This is not your duty, but a delusion--</p> +<p>SASHA. We have said enough. I have confessed things to you that I + have not dared to admit even to myself. Don't speak about this to + any one. Let us forget it.</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. I am hopelessly puzzled, and either my mind is going + from old age or else you have all grown very clever, but I'll be + hanged if I understand this business at all.</p> +<p>Enter SHABELSKI.</p> +<p>SHABELSKI. Confound you all and myself, too! This is maddening!</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. What do you want?</p> +<p>SHABELSKI Seriously, I must really do something horrid and + rascally, so that not only I but everybody else will be disgusted + by it. I certainly shall find something to do, upon my word I + shall! I have already told Borkin to announce that I am to be + married. [He laughs] Everybody is a scoundrel and I must be one + too!</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. I am tired of you, Matthew. Look here, man you talk in + such a way that, excuse my saying so, you will soon find yourself + in a lunatic asylum!</p> +<p>SHABELSKI. Could a lunatic asylum possibly be worse than this + house, or any othe r? Kindly take me there at once. Please do! + Everybody is wicked and futile and worthless and stupid; I am an + object of disgust to myself, I don't believe a word I say----</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. Let me give you a piece of advice, old man; fill your + mouth full of tow, light it, and blow at everybody. Or, better + still, take your hat and go home. This is a wedding, we all want + to enjoy ourselves and you are croaking like a raven. Yes, + really.</p> +<p>SHABELSKI leans on the piano and begins to sob.</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. Good gracious, Matthew, Count! What is it, dear + Matthew, old friend? Have I offended you? There, forgive me; I + didn't mean to hurt you. Come, drink some water.</p> +<p>SHABELSKI. I don't want any water. [Raises his head.]</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. What are you crying about?</p> +<p>SHABELSKI. Nothing in particular; I was just crying.</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. Matthew, tell me the truth, what is it? What has + happened?</p> +<p>SHABELSKI. I caught sight of that violoncello, and--and--I + remembered the Jewess.</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. What an unfortunate moment you have chosen to remember + her. Peace be with her! But don't think of her now.</p> +<p>SHABELSKI. We used to play duets together. She was a beautiful, a + glorious woman.</p> +<p>SASHA sobs.</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. What, are you crying too? Stop, Sasha! Dear me, they + are both howling now, and I--and I-- Do go away; the guests will + see you!</p> +<p>SHABELSKI. Paul, when the sun is shining, it is gay even in a + cemetery. One can be cheerful even in old age if it is lighted by + hope; but I have nothing to hope for--not a thing!</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. Yes, it is rather sad for you. You have no children, + no money, no occupation. Well, but what is there to be done about + it? [To SASHA] What is the matter with you, Sasha?</p> +<p>SHABELSKI. Paul, give me some money. I will repay you in the next + world. I would go to Paris and see my wife's grave. I have given + away a great deal of money in my life, half my fortune indeed, + and I have a right to ask for some now. Besides, I am asking a + friend</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. [Embarrassed] My dear boy, I haven't a penny. All + right though. That is to say, I can't promise anything, but you + understand--very well, very well. [Aside] This is agony!</p> +<p>Enter MARTHA.</p> +<p>MARTHA. Where is my partner? Count, how dare you leave me alone? + You are horrid! [She taps SHABELSKI on the arm with her fan]</p> +<p>SHABELSKI. [Impatiently] Leave me alone! I can't abide you!</p> +<p>MARTHA. [Frightened] How? What?</p> +<p>SHABELSKI. Go away!</p> +<p>MARTHA. [Sinks into an arm-chair] Oh! Oh! Oh! [She bursts into + tears.]</p> +<p>Enter ZINAIDA crying.</p> +<p>ZINAIDA. Some one has just arrived; it must be one of the ushers. + It is time for the ceremony to begin.</p> +<p>SASHA. [Imploringly] Mother!</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. Well, now you are all bawling. What a quartette! Come, + come, don't let us have any more of this dampness! Matthew! + Martha! If you go on like this, I--I--shall cry too. [Bursts into + tears] Heavens!</p> +<p>ZINAIDA. If you don't need your mother any more, if you are + determined not to obey her, I shall have to do as you want, and + you have my blessing.</p> +<p>Enter IVANOFF, dressed in a long coat, with gloves on.</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF This is the finishing touch! What do you want?</p> +<p>SHABELSKI. Why are you here?</p> +<p>IVANOFF. I beg your pardon, you must allow me to speak to Sasha + alone.</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. The bridegroom must not come to see the bride before + the wedding. It is time for you to go to the church.</p> +<p>IVANOFF. Paul, I implore you.</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF shrugs his shoulders. LEBEDIEFF, ZINAIDA, SHABELSKI, + and MARTHA go out.</p> +<p>SASHA. [Sternly] What do you want?</p> +<p>IVANOFF. I am choking with anger; I cannot speak calmly. Listen + to me; as I was dressing just now for the wedding, I looked in + the glass and saw how grey my temples were. Sasha, this must not + be! Let us end this senseless comedy before it is too late. You + are young and pure; you have all your life before you, but I---</p> +<p>SASHA. The same old story; I have heard it a thousand times and I + am tired of it. Go quickly to the church and don't keep everybody + waiting!</p> +<p>IVANOFF. I shall go straight home, and you must explain to your + family somehow that there is to be no wedding. Explain it as you + please. It is time we came to our senses. I have been playing the + part of Hamlet and you have been playing the part of a noble and + devoted girl. We have kept up the farce long enough.</p> +<p>SASHA. [Losing her temper] How can you speak to me like this? I + won't have it.</p> +<p>IVANOFF. But I am speaking, and will continue to speak.</p> +<p>SASHA. What do you mean by coming to me like this? Your + melancholy has become absolutely ridiculous!</p> +<p>IVANOFF. No, this is not melancholy. It is ridiculous, is it? + Yes, I am laughing, and if it were possible for me to laugh at + myself a thousand times more bitterly I should do so and set the + whole world laughing, too, in derision. A fierce light has + suddenly broken over my soul; as I looked into the glass just + now, I laughed at myself, and nearly went mad with shame. [He + laughs] Melancholy indeed! Noble grief! Uncontrollable sorrow! It + only remains for me now to begin to write verses! Shall I mope + and complain, sadden everybody I meet, confess that my manhood + has gone forever, that I have decayed, outlived my purpose, that + I have given myself up to cowardice and am bound hand and foot by + this loathsome melancholy? Shall I confess all this when the sun + is shining so brightly and when even the ants are carrying their + little burdens in peaceful self-content? No, thanks. Can I endure + the knowledge that one will look upon me as a fraud, while + another pities me, a third lends me a helping hand, or worst of + all, a fourth listens reverently to my sighs, looks upon me as a + new Mahomet, and expects me to expound a new religion every + moment? No, thank God for the pride and conscience he has left me + still. On my way here I laughed at myself, and it seemed to me + that the flowers and birds were laughing mockingly too.</p> +<p>SASHA. This is not anger, but madness!</p> +<p>IVANOFF. You think so, do you? No, I am not mad. I see things in + their right light now, and my mind is as clear as your + conscience. We love each other, but we shall never be married. It + makes no difference how I rave and grow bitter by myself, but I + have no right to drag another down with me. My melancholy robbed + my wife of the last year of her life. Since you have been engaged + to me you have forgotten how to laugh and have aged five years. + Your father, to whom life was always simple and clear, thanks to + me, is now unable to understand anybody. Wherever I go, whether + hunting or visiting, it makes no difference, I carry depression, + dulness, and discontent along with me. Wait! Don't interrupt me! + I am bitter and harsh, I know, but I am stifled with rage. I + cannot speak otherwise. I have never lied, and I never used to + find fault with my lot, but since I have begun to complain of + everything, I find fault with it involuntarily, and against my + will. When I murmur at my fate every one who hears me is seized + with the same disgust of life and begins to grumble too. And what + a strange way I have of looking at things! Exactly as if I were + doing the world a favour by living in it. Oh, I am contemptible.</p> +<p>SASHA. Wait a moment. From what you have just said, it is obvious + that you are tired of your melancholy mood, and that the time has + come for you to begin life afresh. How splendid!</p> +<p>IVANOFF. I don't see anything splendid about it. How can I lead a + new life? I am lost forever. It is time we both understood that. + A new life indeed!</p> +<p>SASHA. Nicholas, come to your senses. How can you say you are + lost? What do you mean by such cynicism? No, I won't listen to + you or talk with you. Go to the church!</p> +<p>IVANOFF. I am lost!</p> +<p>SASHA. Don't talk so loud; our guests will hear you!</p> +<p>IVANOFF. If an intelligent, educated, and healthy man begins to + complain of his lot and go down-hill, there is nothing for him to + do but to go on down until he reaches the bottom--there is no + hope for him. Where could my salvation come from? How can I save + myself? I cannot drink, because it makes my head ache. I never + could write bad poetry. I cannot pray for strength and see + anything lofty in the languor of my soul. Laziness is laziness + and weakness weakness. I can find no other names for them. I am + lost, I am lost; there is no doubt of that. [Looking around] Some + one might come in; listen, Sasha, if you love me you must help + me. Renounce me this minute; quickly!</p> +<p>SASHA. Oh, Nicholas! If you only knew how you are torturing me; + what agony I have to endure for your sake! Good thoughtful + friend, judge for yourself; can I possibly solve such a problem? + Each day you put some horrible problem before me, each one more + difficult than the last. I wanted to help you with my love, but + this is martyrdom!</p> +<p>IVANOFF. And when you are my wife the problems will be harder + than ever. Understand this: it is not love that is urging you to + take this step, but the obstinacy of an honest nature. You have + undertaken to reawaken the man in me and to save me in the face + of every difficulty, and you are flattered by the hope of + achieving your object. You are willing to give up now, but you + are prevented from doing it by a feeling that is a false one. + Understand yourself!</p> +<p>SASHA. What strange, wild reasoning! How can I give you up now? How can I? + You have no mother, or sister, or friends. You are ruined; your estate has been + destroyed; every one is speaking ill of you-- </p> +<p>IVANOFF. It was foolish of me to come here; I should have done as + I wanted to--</p> +<p>Enter LEBEDIEFF.</p> +<p>SASHA. [Running to her father] Father! He has rushed over here + like a madman, and is torturing me! He insists that I should + refuse to marry him; he says he doesn't want to drag me down with + him. Tell him that I won't accept his generosity. I know what I + am doing!</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. I can't understand a word of what you are saying. What + generosity?</p> +<p>IVANOFF. This marriage is not going to take place.</p> +<p>SASHA. It is going to take place. Papa, tell him that it is going + to take place.</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. Wait! Wait! What objection have you to the marriage?</p> +<p>IVANOFF. I have explained it all to her, but she refuses to + understand me.</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. Don't explain it to her, but to me, and explain it so + that I may understand. God forgive you, Nicholas, you have + brought a great deal of darkness into our lives. I feel as if I + were living in a museum; I look about me and don't understand + anything I see. This is torture. What on earth can an old man + like me do with you? Shall I challenge you to a duel?</p> +<p>IVANOFF. There is no need of a duel. All you need is a head on + your shoulders and a knowledge of the Russian language.</p> +<p>SASHA. [Walks up and down in great excitement] This is dreadful, + dreadful! Absolutely childish.</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. Listen to me, Nicholas; from your point of view what + you are doing is quite right and proper, according to the rules + of psychology, but I think this affair is a scandal and a great + misfortune. I am an old man; hear me out for the last time. This + is what I want to say to you: calm yourself; look at things + simply, as every one else does; this is a simple world. The + ceiling is white; your boots are black; sugar is sweet. You love + Sasha and she loves you. If you love her, stay with her; if you + don't, leave her. We shan't blame you. It is all perfectly + simple. You are two healthy, intelligent, moral young people; + thank God, you both have food and clothing--what more do you + want? What if you have no money? That is no great + misfortune--happiness is not bought with wealth. Of course your + estate is mortgaged, Nicholas, as I know, and you have no money + to pay the interest on the debt, but I am Sasha's father. I + understand. Her mother can do as she likes--if she won't give any + money, why, confound her, then she needn't, that's all! Sasha has + just said that she does not want her part of it. As for your + principles, Schopenhauer and all that, it is all folly. I have + one hundred thousand roubles in the bank. [Looking around him] + Not a soul in the house knows it; it was my grandmother's money. + That shall be for you both. Take it, give Matthew two thousand--</p> +<p>[The guests begin to collect in the ball-room].</p> +<p>IVANOFF. It is no use discussing it any more, I must act as my + conscience bids me.</p> +<p>SASHA. And I shall act as my conscience bids me--you may say what + you please; I refuse to let you go! I am going to call my mother.</p> +<p>LEBEDIEFF. I am utterly puzzled.</p> +<p>IVANOFF. Listen to me, poor old friend. I shall not try to + explain myself to you. I shall not tell you whether I am honest + or a rascal, healthy or mad; you wouldn't understand me. I was + young once; I have been eager and sincere and intelligent. I have + loved and hated and believed as no one else has. I have worked + and hoped and tilted against windmills with the strength of + ten--not sparing my strength, not knowing what life was. I + shouldered a load that broke my back. I drank, I worked, I + excited myself, my energy knew no bounds. Tell me, could I have + done otherwise? There are so few of us and so much to do, so much + to do! And see how cruelly fate has revenged herself on me, who + fought with her so bravely! I am a broken man. I am old at + thirty. I have submitted myself to old age. With a heavy head and + a sluggish mind, weary, used up, discouraged, without faith or + love or an object in life, I wander like a shadow among other + men, not knowing why I am alive or what it is that I want. Love + seems to me to be folly, caresses false. I see no sense in + working or playing, and all passionate speeches seem insipid and + tiresome. So I carry my sadness with me wherever I go; a cold + weariness, a discontent, a horror of life. Yes, I am lost for + ever and ever. Before you stands a man who at thirty-five is + disillusioned, wearied by fruitless efforts, burning with shame, + and mocking at his own weakness. Oh, how my pride rebels against + it all! What mad fury chokes me! [He staggers] I am + staggering--my strength is failing me. Where is Matthew? Let him + take me home.</p> +<p>[Voices from the ball-room] The best man has arrived!</p> +<p>Enter SHABELSKI.</p> +<p>SHABELSKI. In an old worn-out coat--without gloves! How many + scornful glances I get for it! Such silly jokes and vulgar grins! + Disgusting people.</p> +<p>Enter BORKIN quickly. He is carrying a bunch of flowers and is in + a dress-coat. He wears a flower in his buttonhole.</p> +<p>BORKIN. This is dreadful! Where is he? [To IVANOFF] They have + been waiting for you for a long time in the church, and here you + are talking philosophy! What a funny chap you are. Don't you know + you must not go to church with the bride, but alone, with me? I + shall then come back for her. Is it possible you have not + understood that? You certainly are an extraordinary man!</p> +<p>Enter LVOFF.</p> +<p>LVOFF. [To IVANOFF] Ah! So you are here? [Loudly] Nicholas + Ivanoff, I denounce you to the world as a scoundrel!</p> +<p>IVANOFF. [Coldly] Many thanks!</p> +<p>BORKIN. [To LVOFF] Sir, this is dastardly! I challenge you to a + duel!</p> +<p>LVOFF. Monsieur Borkin, I count it a disgrace not only to fight + with you, but even to talk to you! Monsieur Ivanoff, however, can + receive satisfaction from me whenever he chooses!</p> +<p>SHABELSKI. Sir, I shall fight you!</p> +<p>SASHA. [To LVOFF] Why, oh why, have you insulted him? Gentlemen, + I beg you, let him tell me why he has insulted him.</p> +<p>LVOFF. Miss Sasha, I have not insulted him without cause. I came + here as a man of honour, to open your eyes, and I beg you to + listen to what I have to tell you.</p> +<p>SASHA. What can you possibly have to tell me? That you are a man + of honour? The whole world knows it. You had better tell me on + your honour whether you understand what you have done or not. You + have come in here as a man of honour and have insulted him so + terribly that you have nearly killed me. When you used to follow + him like a shadow and almost keep him from living, you were + convinced that you were doing your duty and that you were acting + like a man of honour. When you interfered in his private affairs, + maligned him and criticised him; when you sent me and whomever + else you could, anonymous letters, you imagined yourself to be an + honourable man! And, thinking that that too was honourable, you, + a doctor, did not even spare his dying wife or give her a + moment's peace from your suspicions. And no matter what violence, + what cruel wrong you committed, you still imagined yourself to be + an unusually honourable and clear-sighted man.</p> +<p>IVANOFF. [Laughing] This is not a wedding, but a parliament! + Bravo! Bravo!</p> +<p>SASHA. [To LVOFF] Now, think it over! Do you see what sort of a + man you are, or not? Oh, + the stupid, heartless people! [Takes IVANOFF by the hand] Come + away from here Nicholas! Come, father, let us go!</p> +<p>IVANOFF. Where shall we go? Wait a moment. I shall soon put an + end to the whole thing. My youth is awake in me again; the former + Ivanoff is here once more.</p> +<p>[He takes out a revolver.]</p> +<p>SASHA. [Shrieking] I know what he wants to do! Nicholas, for + God's sake!</p> +<p>IVANOFF. I have been slipping down-hill long enough. Now, halt! + It is time to know what honour is. Out of the way! Thank you, + Sasha!</p> +<p>SASHA. [Shrieking] Nicholas! For God's sake hold him!</p> +<p>IVANOFF. Let go! [He rushes aside, and shoots himself.]</p> +<p>The curtain falls.</p> +<p> </p> + +<BR> +<BR> +<BR> +<BR> +<PRE> +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, IVANOFF *** + +This file should be named vanof10h.htm or vanof10h.zip +Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks get a new NUMBER, vanof11h.htm +VERSIONS based on separate sources get new LETTER, vanof10ah.htm + + +Project Gutenberg eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the US +unless a copyright notice is included. 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